Low income patients missing out on mental health help

Some sufferers of mental illness in Wairarapa face financial barriers to wellbeing and others have little choice in service, according to Wairarapa Hospital mental health nursing staff.
Ron Mark, list MP and NZ First spokesman on mental health, was told during a meeting on Friday with mental health service staff of the lack of wider services in Wairarapa for people with mild to moderate mental illness, and of other sufferers who leave more serious illnesses to languish or worsen through financial constraint and force of circumstance ? especially those in low-paid employment who are ineligible for subsidies.
Jessie Wilson, community mental health nurse and Access Centre co-ordinator, said there are some "informal" mental health patients choosing to forego their prescribed medicines, as they are ineligible under the Mental Health Act for subsidies.
"It's not so bad if you're already a mental health consumer but it's difficult for those in work who are not getting much more than what they would on the benefit," said Margaret Weir, community crisis team nurse.
"There are some very severely ill people not under the Mental Health Act who are penalised by having to pay for their medication and the irony is that our jobs are aimed at getting people off the act."
Pauline Hinds, mental health consumer advisor, said there are now about 200 people being treated through the Wairarapa Mental Health Service and more than half are paying for their own medication.
About 11 per cent receive subsidised medication and treatment, she said, and about 30 per cent are community services cardholders.
Julie Clark, community crisis team worker, said sufferers in Wairarapa of mild to moderate mental illness must also leap the added hurdles of social stigma and a paucity of service choice.
"Rural and provincial places like Masterton don't have the richness of service providers and complementary health services like there is in the cities ? like psychotherapists, psychologists, specialist counsellors ? and not everyone is comfortable with the idea of visiting with us here," she said.
"There is actually quite a lack in services for those with mild to moderate mental health illnesses who may just need a counsellor or somebody for talk and support ? and who may work but don't have a large income.
"There's hardly anywhere for them," she said.
The meeting was told there has been a move away from church-based services that had formerly offered free relationship and mediation services and other counselling.
Wairarapa Mental Health Services may be contacted weekdays 8am to 4.30pm - 06 946 9805.
After hours - Community Crisis Team ? 06 946 9800.