38103 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

38103 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: Does the Minister agree with the suggestion from Public Service Association Assistant Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons, as reported to Radio New Zealand's Hamish Cardwell, that the Suicide Prevention Office staff roles were being downgraded?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am advised that staffing matters associated with the Suicide Prevention Office are the responsibility of the Director-General of Health. I am further advised that the Suicide Prevention Office team within the Ministry of Health provides leadership for and maintains oversight of the ongoing implementation of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2019–2024. Following the health reforms on 1 July 2022; budget, planning and commissioning functions for suicide prevention and postvention initiatives moved to Health New Zealand, which later transferred the programmes and services to Te Aka Whai Ora. These have recently been transferred back to Health New Zealand. While the funding and commissioning role was transferred, the Suicide Prevention Office team remained within the Ministry of Health, but with a focus on strategy, policy, and monitoring the outcomes achieved by the system as a whole. The team responsible for these enduring functions remains within the Ministry of Health's Clinical, Community and Mental Health directorate. It reports to the Deputy Director-General for that portfolio. The proposals that Ministry of Health staff are being consulted on include bringing together suicide prevention expertise with the expertise of its lived experience, system insights and clinical teams. The purpose of combining these skillsets is to elevate the focus of suicide prevention within the broader mental health work programme and leverage a wider range of expertise for suicide prevention. The work programme will include leadership and coordination across relevant agencies that contribute to improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes.