More people will be able to get mental health and addiction support in their communities, with 22 organisations receiving funding to expand services and test new approaches.
The third round of Health New Zealand’s Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund provides $7.218 million in Health NZ funding for 22 time-limited initiatives. A further $8.107 million will be contributed through matched funding.
The initiatives are designed to improve mental health and addiction outcomes, make support easier to access and develop models that could be used more widely. They cover prevention, early intervention, workforce development, community and culturally grounded services, and digital innovation.
Health NZ Director, Mentally Well, Lisa Gestro says community organisations know their communities and can help people get the right help earlier.
“Community providers know the people and whānau they work with,” Lisa says. “They know what their communities need and how to provide help in ways that work for local people.”
The funded work includes youth mental health, addiction recovery, alcohol harm reduction, integrated primary and community care, school-based support, and services for people with complex needs.
Examples of some of the funded initiatives include:
- New Zealand Drug Foundation, which will expand SMART Recovery across New Zealand by training facilitators, supporting organisations and community groups to establish new meetings, and developing resources for people experiencing addiction. Wellington City Mission will expand alcohol harm reduction outreach for people experiencing alcohol-related harm and complex housing needs.
- Aroha ki te Tamariki Trust will develop an integrated youth hub and test a mobile youth crisis service in Dunedin.
- Hanmer Springs Community Trust will expand access to ADHD assessment, treatment and services for rural communities.
- Auckland City Mission will provide a mobile multidisciplinary health team for people with co-existing mental health and addiction needs alongside housing insecurity.
- Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust will integrate mental health and addiction clinicians into crisis, sexual violence and family services across the Bay of Plenty and rural Waikato.
- Think and Be Me will expand a school-based early intervention programme providing mental health support and resources for educators.
- SchoolTV will extend access to online wellbeing resources for schools, parents and educators.
- Korowai Aroha Trust will embed clinical mental health and addiction staff in primary care settings.
- Midlands Regional Health Network Charitable Trust will extend access to integrated primary mental health support through a virtual service.
- Living Water Health Limited will expand a multidisciplinary model of coordinated mental health support.
Lisa says the fund helps community organisations build on what works and try new ways to meet local needs.
“There isn’t one approach that will work for everyone – so this funding gives organisations the chance to build on what is already working, try something new and reach people who might otherwise miss out.
“Many of these services are for people who find it harder to get help. By backing local ideas, we can make care easier to access and learn what works best for people and whānau.”
A full list of funded initiatives can be found at Innovation fund for mental health and addiction page.