Primary Health - mental health & addiction

Working Closer Locally 

The Government's Better, Sooner, More Convenient[1] initiative is an opportunity to build on the gains made by the primary mental health initiatives developed by PHOs. Over time these developments are expected to extend to the relationship between primary care teams and the network of community-based mental health and addiction services provided by NGOs throughout the country.

Platform is leading a project that involves working collaboratively with leaders from NGO services and PHOs, this project will consider options and models that could be used for building collaboration between the two service groups so that together they can meet the mental health and addiction needs of local communities.

The project is being undertaken on behalf of the Mental Health Commission, which has a statutory role to support policy-makers, funders and providers to deliver integrated and effective mental health and addiction services.

UK Developments

The future direction for developments in New Zealand is likely to be influenced by the cross agency strategy New Horizons[2] and Confident Communities, Brighter Futures[3]. These reports well and truly broaden the focus from severe illnesses to incorporate prevention, promotion and early intervention goals, while recognising the benefits that improving mental health and well-being brings to individuals, communities and society.  Multi-agency commissioning and collaboration are seen as pivotal to success.

How is the Project going?

The interim report is is still in draft and we are still open to feedback contact ceo   "at" platform.org.nz

[1] http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/phcs-bsmc#whatisbsmc

[2] http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_109705

[3] http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/search/?keywords=confident+communities