26 Jul 2019

Can New Zealand's mental health crisis be cured?

From Morning Report, 8:41 am on 26 July 2019

The biggest changes to mental health and addiction services in decades are about to be unveiled.

This year's budget set aside $455 million for frontline services in mental health and now the government is gearing up to release the nitty gritty of how this money will be spent.

RNZ health correspondent Karen Brown has the story for RNZ Insight. She visited Bruce and Ashika, who have mental illnesses. They discuss what could make the system better.

Hear the full Insight story on RNZ, Sunday after 8am, and at RNZ Insight's page.

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)
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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.