The Government of New Zealand has announced a significant expansion in mental health services, with the Wellington City Mission’s Whakamaru Crisis Café set to receive funding through the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund. This new funding will enable the café to extend its hours of operation to 24 hours a day, four days a week, providing crucial support to individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “I am thrilled that the Wellington Mission will be receiving funding to deliver an important initiative designed to increase early access to mental health support.”
The Whakamaru Crisis Café offers an alternative to traditional emergency rooms, creating a non-clinical, welcoming environment where individuals in distress can receive peer support from trained staff who have lived experience with mental health and addiction issues. This model allows those seeking help to find understanding and compassionate care in a relaxed setting, rather than the often-overwhelming atmosphere of hospital emergency departments.
Minister Doocey highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, saying, “The service has the potential to alleviate pressure on emergency departments, police, and specialist mental health teams by providing an accessible and supportive alternative for those in crisis.”
The funding supports the Government’s commitment to community-driven solutions for mental health challenges. The Whakamaru Crisis Café is the fifth recipient of the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund’s first round of grants. Other recipients include Youthline, the Sir John Kirwan Foundation, MATES in Construction, and the Mental Health Foundation, with additional awards expected in the near future.
This expansion is part of a larger effort to enhance mental health care nationwide. Minister Doocey also announced the upcoming launch of six new Crisis Recovery Cafés across New Zealand over the next two years. These spaces will provide immediate support for individuals in crisis, aiming to prevent unnecessary hospital visits and reduce pressure on existing healthcare services.
“I am committed to trialing new and innovative solutions to address unmet mental health needs. Crisis Recovery Cafés are an alternative model of care that ensures people receive support when they need it most,” Doocey added.
The new funding for the Whakamaru Crisis Café reflects the Government’s ongoing focus on improving mental health services and providing accessible, compassionate care for those in need.
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