Australia (Commonwealth)_More people are using new services as a result of the Access and Choice program, however there has been a drop in persons using specialist mental health and addiction services, as well as other primary mental health services, with little or no change in other metrics of service quality. So, this is notified according to Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, and Mental Health and Addiction Service Monitoring Report.
The research investigates what has changed in mental health and addiction services over the last five years and emphasizes the critical need for action to address the problems that these services confront. It reveals that fewer people than the previous year used specialist treatments, primary mental health initiatives, telemedicine, and online services. People are gaining access to new services as a result of significant investment under the Access and Choice program.
“There has been a significant increase in medication dispensing, particularly for young people, and this calls for further investigation into whether young people have access to a full range of treatment options.” Also, they continue to face extended wait times for professional services. “Our young people deserve better,” says Hayden Wano, Board Chair of Te Hiringa Mahara.
Over the last five years, the workforce for specialist adult mental health and addiction services has grown, but workforce vacancies have more than doubled.” There is a need to see a clear strategy and timeline for dealing with the chronic manpower shortages. Coercive methods are still commonly practised, particularly against Mori and Pacific people. All services must address these disparities as soon as possible. It’d be better to keep te Tiriti o Waitangi, and whnau at the center of a modernized mental health and addiction system. As, expectations to see more from Mori approaches, such as kaupapa from Mori services, created by Mori are higher.
It says, “The necessary improvement necessitates our collective leadership.” There are some early signs of improvement, but the magnitude of the task ahead is considerable. Also, seizing reform opportunities and expedite transformation toward the vision outlined in He Ara Oranga seems significant as well.
