July 13, 2023
Peer support best value in mental health crisis
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commisison – Te Hiringa Mahara – says peer support workers can play a critical role in the sector.
The commission has just issued a paper on the Peer Support Workforce, which says people with lived experience of mental health and addictions are still only 3.4 percent of the mental health and addiction workforce.
Chair Hayden Wano says people who have survived and thrived after beating mental health issues are exactly what’s needed to help others who are still suffering.
A major investment into the workforce would be a good start while we’re waiting for an overhaul of the outdated 1992 Mental Health Act.
“Bringing on more cultural workers, kaiwhina, kaiarahi, and the like, as well as peer work forces – people that have lived experiences. More of that kind of workforce, to help change the way that we deliver services to whanau,” Mr Wano says.
The commission also wants to see more kaupapa Maori services,with a more inclusive and supportive approach.