Recent mental health funding allocated to Central Otago will only be useful if the health industry can attract the staff to fill the positions, according to a local community worker.

Alexandra Community House (ACH) manager Carole Gillions has spoken out on Mental Health Awareness Week, saying there are gaps in access to free support for mild to moderate mental health, leaving people waiting or needing to access private practitioners.

WellSouth was given government funding in 2020 for the Access and Choice Programme, however the health and improvement practitioner position has been vacant for some time.

“For the period this programme hasn’t been fully staffed, we’ve been seeing an increase in people with mild to moderate mental health issues presenting at ACH,” Carole said.

There have been funds available for services to help some people access private mental health services, but that money has now dried up.

“The gap in the process and options has put pressure on us in the community.”

Minister for mental health Matt Doocey announced extra support across Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes last month, with expanded services including psychiatric services for children and adolescents.

A Dunedin-based psychiatrist joined the Central Lakes Community Mental Health team based at Dunstan Hospital earlier this year, and a psychiatric registrar as well, improving capacity for face-to-face appointments.

There was also a renewed contract to ADL Supporting Young People - based in Cromwell.

ADL employs a team of clinicians and wellbeing coaches offering professional counselling services to youth.

Alexandra Community House has a range of organisations and individuals who help people through situations causing them stress. Information on those services and what they offer can be found on www.ach.org.nz or by calling in.

Addictions have been identified as a growing issue in the area, and alcohol and drug practitioner Victoria Ravenscroft will present a talk at Alexandra Community House on October 22, from 7-8:30pm.

The free talk will cover understanding the cause, effects, trends and solutions associated with addiction.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, people can tap into the five aspects of wellbeing for themselves, as well as checking in with others, “because as well as reaching out, we have to reach in”:

1. Stay connected
2. Give - whether it be volunteering or just a smile to a stranger
3. Be active
4. Notice the changes in seasons - pause and just breathe.
5. Keep learning.

The government’s Central Lakes strategy, including a more detailed mental health plan for the area, is due at the end of the year. 

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