Evan MasonA new suicide prevention strategy, a focus on workforce development and greater involvement of families in treatment are key features of the newly-released Southern District Health Board mental health and addiction system strategic plan. The new document incorporated lessons learned from that strategy, and also aimed to meet the intentions of the SDHB's primary and community strategy and the Government's response to its mental health inquiry, SDHB mental health medical director Evan Mason said. "Workforce planning is vital to the ongoing delivery of effective and high-quality mental health and addiction services. The SDHB's mental health, addictions and intellectual disability has been moved out of specialist services and into "Strategy, Primary and Community" as part of a move for all health services to work more closely together on mental health and addiction. 1737, free 24/7 four digit phone and text numberHealthline: 0800 611-116Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO)Samaritans: 0800 726-666Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787-797General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757

Source: Otago Daily Times November 01, 2019 15:22 UTC