Maori Mental Health and Addiction Framework

[Kawhia]

The Minister of Health David Cunliffe and the Associate Minister of Health Mita Ririnui today launched Te Puawaiwhero, the second Maori Mental health and Addiction National Strategic Framework.

“This sets out a path for Maori mental health and addiction services for the next seven years .This will see a much greater emphasis on making front line services responsive to Maori and improving early access to services, “ said Mr Cunliffe.

“There is a critical need for this framework as three in every five Maori will experience mental illness sometime in their life  and one in three Maori  will have a substance abuse disorder ...This  has a huge impact on Maori whanau, hapu, iwi and the wider  community”

“Te Puawaiwhero which has been developed in partnership with DHBs will strengthen the health workforce and services for Maori with a strong emphasis on primary healthcare and the needs of Maori“ said Mr Ririnui.

“Te Rau Hinengaro the New Zealand mental Health Survey shows that Maori experiencing alcohol and other drug issues and Maori with mental illness access less care than others. It is our aim to turn this around”.

“A plan is only as good as its implementation and this plan is now a living document. The core team that wrote this document will be visiting the country’s DHBs over the year and talking to them about achieving health equity for Maori,” said Mr Ririnui.