Mental Health Symposium – Tackling the mental health crisis with technology

Over the last 50 years, mental health and addiction services in New Zealand have moved from an institutional model of care to a recovery model of care that is continually evolving.

Government-led investment into mental health and addiction have resulted in the establishment of a wide range of community, kaupapa Māori, specialist and acute services. Ring-fenced funding for mental health and addiction services has steadily grown to $1.4 billion in 2016/17.

Despite these achievements, the sector faces dynamic challenges. We know that mental health outcomes continue to be inequitable in New Zealand. This includes Māori, the Pacific community, people with disabilities, people of the rainbow community, and refugees to mention a few who disproportionately experience mental health challenges.

There are also a group of New Zealanders with moderate mental health needs who are not easily managed in primary care and at the same time, do not meet the threshold for specialist care. This can result in their needs not being fully met and further affecting their well-being.

Because mental health is multifaceted, we as a community must work together with individuals and organisations, both public and private to understand how to improve the mental health and of New Zealanders from different angles.

This symposium brings together 5 organisations who are doing just that. While technology and mental well-being might seem like antagonistic terms, our speakers for the symposium are using the power of technology to aid in tackling the mental health crisis our nation faces.

The “Tackling the mental health crisis with technology” symposium is part of the HealthTech Symposium Series.

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