New Peer Support Service Launched at Middlemore ED to Improve Mental Health Care

"Having someone with lived experience available to support those in mental distress can make a crucial difference," said Doocey.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has announced the launch of a new peer support service at Middlemore Hospital’s Emergency Department, marking a significant step forward in New Zealand’s mental health care system.

"Having someone with lived experience available to support those in mental distress can make a crucial difference," said Doocey. "With the right training and clinical supervision, I am confident that the peer workforce will help alleviate some of the pressures within mental health and addiction services."

Middlemore is the first of eight hospitals set to trial the service, with Auckland City, Waikato, Wellington, and Christchurch hospitals in planning stages, and three more to be added within the next two years.

Additional Mental Health Initiatives

Alongside the peer support service, Minister Doocey announced several other key mental health initiatives:

Six new Crisis Recovery Cafés will be rolled out over the next two years, providing safe, supportive alternatives to hospital EDs for those experiencing mental health crises.

The launch of New Zealand's first Child and Youth Mental Health and Addiction Prevalence Survey, aiming to gather crucial data to address unmet needs.

$6.6 million investment in Infant, Child, and Adolescent Mental Health Services (ICAMHS) over the next two years, funding additional frontline staff to bolster mental health services for young people.

Crisis Recovery Cafés

The first of the Crisis Recovery Cafés is expected to open early to mid-next year, with five more planned once locations are selected. These cafés are designed to offer a welcoming environment where individuals in crisis can seek support, potentially preventing unnecessary emergency department visits.

"I am committed to trialling new and innovative solutions to address the unmet need. Crisis Recovery Cafés are an alternative model of care that can prevent people from ending up in ED," Doocey explained.

These initiatives reflect the Government’s broader strategy to expand mental health support and provide more tailored, accessible care across New Zealand.