Another $1.5 million of district health board funding is to be spent on helping stressed people cope in earthquake-hit Christchurch.
Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says doctors are reporting an increasing demand for mental health care.
Dr Coleman says the money will go toward a specialist quake response team, longer GP consultations and more counselling services.
The response team will provide individual and group therapy for older people, children and their families.
The Government is monitoring the situation to ensure the Canterbury DHB and the mental health service it provides can cope with the demand, he says.
The Government last week pledged an extra $16 million to the DHB for earthquake-related costs.
