Use of eMental health increases as industry calls for national hub

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Use of telehealth and digital tools to provide mental health support is increasing, however not all people can access these supports easily, a new report says.

In response to “Te Huringa: Change and Transformation. Mental Health Service and Addiction Service Monitoring Report 2022" industry body NZHIT is calling for the development of a national digital mental health and addictions support hub to ease pressure on the mental health and addictions system.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has released the report which monitors the performance of mental health services and addictions services between 2016/2017 and 2020/2021.

“Our measures show use of telehealth and digital supports is increasing as they become more available, and access to primary mental health services has increased, particularly for young people,” it says.

The number of people using the 1737 need to talk? counselling service has nearly tripled in the three years since its launch in 2017/2018. Also, one in ten people visited depression.org.nz in 2020/2021, a website that provides ideas for support for people experiencing distress.

“However, not all people can access these supports easily. Māori, Pacific people, those living in rural areas, and older people over 65 are less likely to have internet access than other groups in Aotearoa,” the report says.

“Anecdotally, we have also heard that people seeking support during COVID-19 lockdowns for addiction challenges faced technology and financial barriers.”

NZHIT chief executive Ryl Jensen says a virtual hub would improve access to the services currently available, provide options and choice for consumers, and make a huge impact on people’s mental health outcomes.

“The hub would include telehealth, digital mental health tools, mental health apps, and a network of trained professionals ready to help – a workforce that could be based all over the country,” she says.

“The hub would provide access to a variety of mental health and addictions services, offering anything from electronic self-assessment and help tools, to picking up people from general practice or hospital services, and supporting them for a period of time.”

Taranaki-based mental health practitioner and psychiatrist Yariv Doron says the hub could provide support for the majority of mild to moderate cases, while allowing those with greater needs to be identified and offered higher levels of support, including face-to-face services.

“Someone diagnosed with depression could be ‘prescribed’ online cognitive behavioural therapy and a follow up of eight weeks by a virtual team who would make sure their medication was effective and safe,” he says.

Doron says escalating issues would be picked up early, and the person referred for further in-person support.

“However, it is quite likely the hub would help them work through their mental health challenges online.”

The Government recently announced funding for two more digital tools to help people who experience mental distress.

“This Government wants to ensure easy and readily available access to a range of wellbeing support when and where people need it – digital supports are one way to do that," Health Minister Andrew Little said.

The first app, Groov (formerly Mentemia), co-founded by All Black legend Sir John Kirwan, aims to support people 19 years and older with day-to-day mental wellbeing, as well as at times of increased stress or distress.

The second app, HABITs Messenger, is a chatbot platform co-designed with young people by Auckland University.

It features three support options: Aroha – stress support for COVID, Headstrong – a personal trainer for the mind, and Stress Detox – general stress support.

The services were funded from the $1.9 billion Wellbeing Budget in response to He Ara Oranga – the Government Inquiry into Mental Health.



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