Community Mental Health Services a Priority

Community Mental Health Services a Priority to Health Minister

The People’s Mental Health Review welcomes the Health Minister’s commitment to funding mental health services as a priority over tax cuts.

In comments made in an interview with John Campbell yesterday Dr. Coleman made is clear he believes health services are more important to people in his electorate than tax cuts.

The Minister specifically stated “I want to provide more Community Mental Health Services” as a priority.

“It’s encouraging that the Minister for Health has been listening to the community he serves about the severe shortage of funding for mental health services. The People’s Mental Health Review welcomes any prioritisation of mental health spending by the Minister, regardless of the reason.” says Kyle MacDonald, review spokesperson.

Submissions received by the People’s Mental Health Review since September 5th make it clear that treatment waiting times and lack of treatment options at the community level are increasingly an impediment to mental health for people around the country.

Until now the Minister, and the Director of Mental Health, have denied that service access is a problem, despite significant increases in demand across the country.

“We wish Dr. Coleman the best for his leadership bid, and whether or not he is successful, hope that as part of an invigorated National caucus he will now turn his attention to the appropriate funding of health services as a priority over any possible tax cuts.” says MacDonald.

The People’s Mental Health Review is a collaboration between campaigning group ActionStation, and mental health advocates Kyle MacDonald and Mike King.

The People’s Mental Health Review has extended it’s timeframe for collecting submissions to the end of the year: http://www.publicmentalhealthreview.nz/

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