Multi-Disciplinary Mental Health Hubs
“Community hubs ma ybe the answer to the difficulties
people encounter when seeking assistance for mental health
issues. The extra mental health funding announced in the
budget could be allocated to multi disciplinary teams which
would provide a wrap around service aligned with the needs
of people in local communities.
The New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists is inviting counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, alcohol and drug practitioners and allied health professionals to consider working together at a central venue in community centres. At present, clients and patients are referred to one or more professional services. The current system is fraught with delays and a lack of shared information.
Roy Bowden, a former president of the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists. is encouraging practitioners to combine their specialist knowledge. He would like practitioners from a variety of services to be on a roster system to meet with people in crisis, engage with the support offered by families and friends and take the needs of culturally aligned services into account. Community Hubs would be the ‘first port of call’ for people and multi-disciplinary team members would refer clients and patients on to specialist help if that is required.
If each profession asks the government for funding in isolation there is a danger the health system will continue to be under funded and under resourced.
There are many reasons why people
need a ‘whole of life’ approach to mental health
dilemmas. It is now recognised that mental health is
inextricably linked to environmental, cultural, social,
relationship, spiritual, physical health and personal
issues. These are all present when someone is disturbed and
cannot cope with life. Community Hubs would take all these
factors into account and multi-disciplinary, culturally
aligned teams, would make sure people are surrounded with
holistic
care.”