\u201cIt is utterly unacceptable that for too long, when a concerned mum, dad, friend or colleague calls 111 looking for a mental health response, they have received a criminal justice response,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The annual number of patients with mental health and addiction issues presenting to Whanganui Hospital\u2019s emergency department has risen more than 70% since 2023, as police reduce time spent with detained people dropped off for mental health assessments.<\/p>\n
NZ Police Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny said partnering with Health NZ for the new co-response teams helped deliver safer outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking alongside mental health clinicians strengthens our response by bringing together clinical expertise and police\u2019s public safety role.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy responding alongside clinicians, we are better equipped to assess situations, manage risk and connect people with the support they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
High demand in the new areas was shown through emergency department presentations, crisis contacts, engagement with mental health services and suicide statistics.<\/p>\n
They also faced rural barriers of longer travel distances and limited access to mental health services.<\/p>\n
Whanganui MP Carl Bates said the new co-response team would have a big impact on the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany parents and families who have talked to me about their experience with mental health have expressed they want a better crisis response for their loved ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur local team will be designed to meet the needs we have here in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to getting updates on how the new team is progressing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Which mental health providers would be involved in the Whanganui team and where they would operate were unconfirmed. Teams such as North Shore have operated from a dedicated office in the police station.<\/p>\n
Health NZ director specialist mental health and addictions, Karla Bergquist, said they would explore with police the most appropriate operating model for each new team.<\/p>\n
\u201cCo-response teams help people in distress and their family receive co-ordinated wraparound care,\u201d Bergquist said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey reduce the need to use powers under the Mental Health Act and mean fewer people need to be taken to an emergency department or police station.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2023, Te Oranganui and police announced their partnership H\u0101pai Mauri T\u0101ngata<\/a>, a team of health workers based at the police station responding to mental health-related callouts. A crisis recovery cafe<\/a> was later opened with support from Doocey.<\/p>\n Te Oranganui chief executive Wheturangi Walsh said the H\u0101pai Mauri T\u0101ngata model had been \u201cvery positive\u201d but funding would end in December.<\/p>\n The Government\u2019s proposed crisis co-tesponse team had similarities to their model, and local police had already been in contact, Walsh said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are definitely committed to considering how it is that we might continue our relationship.<\/p>\n \u201cThis potentially offers us an opportunity to continue providing the excellence of service to our community,\u201d Walsh said.<\/p>\n She said it was \u201ctoo early days\u201d to tell what the initiative would look like.<\/p>\n