The government is being warned if it sticks to the status quo it will fail to improve the mental health system.
Health Minister Andrew Little has defended the timing of releasing the report on the Friday when New Zealand was dealing with tsunami and earthquake warnings, and Covid-19 alert level changes. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Almost half a billion dollars has been promised over four years to expand services and enable more than 300,000 people to get help.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has assessed how much progress has been made implementing the recommendations from the 2018 mental health inquiry.
The commission spoke to government agencies, providers, advocates and people using mental health support.
There has been some progress, including setting up a national suicide prevention programme but in other areas, there is still a long way to go.
The rollout of mental health and addiction services is described by some as inconsistent and slow, and funding is not being delivered fast enough.
The review also warns slow progress may lead to increased inequities.
Minister of Health Andrew Little defended the progress made.
"I know there is frustration in the sector but we are moving as fast as we can with the capacity that we've got.'
The promised changes were never going to happen overnight, Little said.
"I'm confident the ministry is putting everything into rolling out the programme as we had planned back in May 2019. It was always a four to five-year programme, we are not even half way through that at the moment and, look, everyone is doing the best they can," he said.
"That's not the best answer for people who are struggling on the front line but unfortunately it's the best I can do with the people we've got and the resources we've got."
Mental Health Foundation head Shaun Robinson issued a stark warning to the government.
"If they are just going to dig into their existing direction then I can tell you now, they will fail."
He wants to see a plan to implement all of the inquiry recommendations, not just selected parts of it.
"This report marks a real watershed moment for in implementing the mental health inquiry's recommendations.
"We've got off to a really bad start, we've taken a very piecemeal approach from the government. We're on the wrong foot and going down the wrong path but it's not too late to change," Robinson said.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission wants the overhaul done well, not just quickly.
Commission chairperson Hayden Wano, who also chaired the interim group, told Nine to Noon a long term view was needed.
"There are heightened expectations and I think it's reasonable to say that transformation will take time. It's not something you can turn around overnight.
"I think one of those expectations and one of the ways you can begin to address those expectations is to engage people in what a long-term plan might look like."
Listen to Commission chairperson Hayden Wano speaking on Nine to Noon here
Report release criticised
It's not just the government's progress the minister has been forced to defend.
The report flew completely under the radar because it was put out last Friday - in the midst of the earthquake, tsunami and Covid-19 chaos.
National MP Matt Doocey challenged Little about the timing at Select Committee.
"If you weren't worried about the report, you had it for a number of months and you released it on Friday the day where we had tsunami warnings and a change in level 3 lockdown in Auckland. Did you try and bury that report?" Doocey asked.
"That's a politician's cynical review. I didn't plan a tsunami on Friday, didn't plan any of those things ... we had a timetable for release and it went out on Friday," Little said.
But now the report is public, and the criticism has been laid on thick, the challenge for the government will now be delivering the promises it made in 2018.
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.