New Zealand’s mental health system is facing severe challenges, with the majority of the country’s psychiatrists expressing concern about its suitability and its downward trajectory. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has called upon all political parties to take immediate, concrete actions to address the crisis.
In a survey conducted by RANZCP, approximately 700 members were asked to assess the mental health system, with 540 responding to the survey. The results were alarming, with the following key findings:
Insufficient Resourcing: An overwhelming 94% of respondents believed that the current funding and resources allocated to the mental health system were inadequate.
Lack of Future Planning: Only 3% of respondents believed that the future planning of the mental health system was headed in the right direction.
Dwindling Staffing Levels: Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported a drop in staffing levels, in some cases significantly, exacerbating the system’s challenges.
Dr. Hiran Thabrew, Chair of RANZCP Tu Te Akaaka Roa New Zealand national committee, expressed deep concern about the survey results, highlighting that they revealed a mental health system in crisis. He stated, “This isn’t coming from a minority of our workforce, it’s coming from the majority of psychiatrists around the country.”
Dr. Thabrew pointed out that over the last decade, the prevalence of moderate-to-severe mental illness in New Zealand has increased by almost 40%, affecting approximately 5% of the population. This surge in demand for mental health services is outpacing the system’s ability to respond effectively.
The shortage of psychiatrists is having a detrimental impact on mental health patients. Dr. Thabrew explained that insufficient staffing leads to delayed access to care, resulting in individuals becoming more unwell and more likely to experience crises. This creates a vicious cycle where inadequate resources and workforce availability contribute to substandard care.
One significant concern raised in the survey is the sense of moral injury felt by many psychiatrists who are committed to helping people but are hindered by the limitations of the system.
RANZCP has called on all political parties to address the workforce shortage and provide increased funding for the mental health system. Their proposed actions include investing $60 million over six years to support the training and integration of 60 new psychiatrists into practice and allocating $27 million over three years for a comprehensive survey to better understand the mental health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
The urgent need for action underscores the critical role of mental health services in supporting the well-being of New Zealand’s population and the pressing need for improved resources and planning in this vital area.
