Young people with mild to moderate mental health issues are set to benefit from a new government pilot programme, 'Piki.'
Health Minister David Clark and Associate Julie-Anne Genter at the Mental Health announcement in Porirua. Photo: RNZ / Gia Garrick
Free mental health services for 18 to 25 year olds were part of the confidence and supply agreement between Labour and the Greens.
This programme provides that service to 10,000 young people in Porirua to begin with, then will spread to Wellington and Wairarapa.
Health Minister David Clark said the mental health report delivered back to the government last year highlighted gaps in services that this pilot would help fill.
"It will mean that mild-to-moderate mental health challenges can be met early and avoid escalation of those challenges as often as we possibly can."
He said the plan was for this pilot to provide a template to expand the service nation-wide.
"It will be investigated as we go through by Otago University so that we can learn from it as we expand these services," Dr Clark said.
Associate Health Minister and Green MP Julie-Anne Genter said she hoped to address the "crisis" of mental health distress in New Zealand.
"What this means for a young person in Porirua is that they will have the ability to self-refer, to go through a GP, to go through a school or employer, to call the government helpline 1737."
"Through that, based on their needs, they can get referred to different levels of service.
"So that could be counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, group therapy, peer support and other types of support that are incredibly innovative."
Ms Genter said Māori and Pacific young people in particular were considered "high need."
This is not targeted funding, however when asked whether there would be further funding for "high need" groups, Dr Clark said he would not reveal details about the government response to the mental health inquiry report until next month.