People can now get mental health support from one place, as part of a plan to improve health services across the Hurunui and Kaikoura districts. Specialist mental health staff are being added to general practice teams in both districts to boost access to rural mental health support. Locals will be put in contact with the team member or service that best meets their wellbeing and mental health needs, when they visit their local general practice. ''In the past, people might have travelled to Christchurch to access specialist mental health services. The service follows a recommendation for more mental health support in local communities in the model-of-care plan, developed by the Hurunui Health Services Development Group and the community.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 16, 2019 16:07 UTC