23990 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

23990 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: Which agency does he think is best to provide appropriate, high-quality care to people experiencing mental health distress in emergency situations?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am advised there are currently two main ways people in mental distress receive emergency support: through Health New Zealand’s Crisis Response Teams and by calling 111. Police are best placed to respond to calls where there is a threat to life or safety. Health New Zealand is best placed to provide an acute mental health service response when needed. Other agencies may be better placed to respond to people’s social needs that may be driving distress. There is work underway to create a five-year plan to transition from a Police-led response to a multi-agency response when people call 111 in mental distress.