\u201cOne of the most important periods in a child\u2019s life is the first 2000 days. By providing support to families early, we can help build a stronger future for our children,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we are making a significant investment in maternal mental health. This funding will support specialist maternal mental health and addiction services, while also growing the frontline workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Doocey said the funding would pay for new peer support workers, enabling mothers to connect with people who have lived experience and understand what they are going through and expanding the frontline workforce.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernment doesn\u2019t always know best. Communities often know what works for them and simply need the opportunity to put those solutions into action. That\u2019s why we are establishing a $1 million per annum fund that NGOs [non-governmental organisations] can access to help increase support in their communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Doocey said the new \u201cpsychology assistant pathway\u201d was \u201ca great example of the Government growing the frontline workforce\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach year, hundreds of psychology graduates miss out on limited clinical training places and are lost to the workforce.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only are we doubling the number of clinical psychologists trained but we have also created a new registration pathway so these graduates can remain focused on mental health and help support New Zealanders who need it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the very first time psychology assistant roles have been employed in Health New Zealand. This funding will employ up to 50 new psychology assistants each year, a total of 150 over four years, alongside supervision and training support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Doocey said he had heard stories of people being left waiting for care because of bed shortages, which led to the funding of 20 additional inpatient beds.<\/p>\n
\u201cPriority will be given to regions that are under the most pressure and have the highest ongoing occupancy rates,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kristy and Toby Maguire at the mental health unit in Tauranga Hospital.<\/p>\n