Mental health review calls on community

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Numerous people have shared their views over the past six weeks during a review of Hauora Tairawhiti-funded mental health and addiction services.

Nicola Ehau, Hauora Tairawhiti planning, funding and population health manager, said staff were building on the findings of the national review held last year.

“We are actively listening to whanau,” she said.

“Hui or workshops are being held across communities.

“The voices and korero we have listened to are valuable to help us place whanau at the centre of what we are doing and drive the increasingly necessary change.

“People from all parts of our communities have come forward to tell us about their experiences.

“They are looking for a change.

“We are committed to continue to work with our communities to design a better way of delivering this.

“Knowing how to access services, being listened to and care that is centred on whanau are themes we are hearing from many people.”

Hauora Tairawhiti chief executive Jim Green has also attended hui.

“We are reviewing how to get the best possible outcomes for Tairawhiti people,’’ he said.

“What we are learning in the workshops, and the findings from the government review last year, is shaping what, how, who and where services need to be available in the future.

“The result will be a model of care for all funded mental health and addiction services in Tairawhiti.

“It was inspiring to be in a room with so many people committed and knowledgeable about addictions and mental health.

“Seeing and hearing their input into what will be one of the most important developments in Tairawhiti health services in many years was encouraging.

“This is a project that will leave a lasting legacy for Tairawhiti whanau”

It is not too late for people have their say.

Hui were held on the Coast yesterday at Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay and Ruatoria.

Dates and times have to be confirmed for hui at Tikitiki, Rangitukia, Hicks Bay and Te Araroa.

People who can’t attend the hui on the Coast can give feedback online, at http://bit.ly/KiaTotikaFeedback. It is completely anonymous, and people should feel free to share the link with friends and whanau.

Feedback closes on Sunday, November 17.

All the feedback and stories will be collated, analysed and used to build a new model of care for people affected by mental health and addictions.

“The new model of care aims to develop one system of many parts to provide high-quality, whanau-centred care to achieve an equitable outcome,” Ms Ehau said.

It will inform the funder, Hauora Tairawhiti, of the types of services needed for Te Tairawhiti’s population and how services need to work with whanau/families, and each other.

“Once we have developed the model, it will provide the high-level approach to designing any new mental health and addiction facilities to be built or redesigned with the up to $20 million of grant money announced by the government in June,” says Ms Ehau.