On 4 July 2024 the Minister for Mental Health announced five mental health and addiction targets. These five targets support the delivery of better mental health outcomes for New Zealanders and to help improve the performance of our mental health and addiction services across the country.
Early and timely access to mental health and addiction services for those who need it is crucial to support people’s recovery, help them to live well and prevent further deterioration of their mental health and overall quality of life.
As with the health targets, the mental health and addiction targets are ambitious and achieving them won’t happen overnight. The targets set clear expectations for mental health and addiction system performance and drive focus on the areas of the system that need it. Progress against the targets is published quarterly.
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Faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services
80% of people accessing specialist mental health and addiction services are seen within three weeks. |
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Faster access to primary mental health and addiction services
80% of people accessing primary mental health and addiction services through the Access and Choice programme are seen within one week. |
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Shorter mental health and addiction-related stays in emergency departments
95% of mental health and addiction related emergency department presentations are admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours. |
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Increased mental health and addiction workforce development
Train 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year. |
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Strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention
25% of mental health and addiction investment is allocated towards prevention and early intervention. |