‘’I have certainly had people who have lost loved ones – clients of the mental health services – to suicide state very strongly that the lack of access to psychological therapy through the mental health services was a significant contributor in the death of their loved one. The system is creaking under the weight and many are blaming years of inaction in the area of mental health. People are more willing to talk about their mental health now, and there are more ‘’factors driving people to feel distressed’’, Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson says. Counsellors, nurses, peer support workers – there’s real gaps in numbers of staff in mental health services in all areas of in New Zealand, he says. “The entire mental health workforce needs more.

Source: Stuff January 25, 2021 16:52 UTC