Q&A – Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey

Q&A – Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey

New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey, speaks to eHealthNews about developing a roadmap for a Digital Mental Health Hub.

Q: How do you see digital tools complementing traditional mental health services?

A: Technology plays a crucial role in improving mental health services. My priorities as New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health are; increasing access to timely support; growing the workforce; strengthening prevention; and improving service effectiveness. Digital tools can help achieve all four. Many young people already operate in digital spaces, so integrating technology into mental health care makes sense. 

Data shows that 33 percent of young people with unmet mental health needs do not know where to seek help, while 25 percent face long wait times. Technology can bridge these gaps by providing easier access and faster support.

Q: Can digital tools improve access to mental health support for underserved communities?

A: Absolutely, navigation could be a game changer, because it is not only speeding up timely access to support, but is drawing together a lot of resources and services that are already available. 

Imagine entering basic information about yourself and your mental health concerns, and instantly receiving a list of relevant local, regional, or national support services—with real-time appointment booking. 

Many people are unaware of the services already available to them. Digitising existing programs, like the Access and Choice initiative, which rolled out mental health and addiction support within GP practices, could further expand reach and accessibility for people who want to engage online, especially in rural areas.

Q: Tell us about the proposed Digital Mental Health Hub.

A: New Zealanders often say that in their time of need, their biggest challenge is finding the right support—it feels fragmented and takes too long. 

It makes sense in a small country like New Zealand, to have a single digital platform where you can go and it might have accredited apps and eTherapies, then the ability to move into talking to someone face-to-face online, or being referred to a service nearby as well. 

I have looked around the world at good examples of what is happening in the mental health and addiction space, including Australia’s  plans for an all of government digital platform.

Rather than writing a strategy, we are taking a roadmap approach, to give us timelines, milestones and implementation dates.

Q: What role would existing mental health providers play in this hub?

A: Providers will be key in ensuring the hub seamlessly integrates with existing services. I see it much like the 1737 mental health helpline, as a brand that people identify with and know in their time of need that it is a place where they can find information and support.

It must cover the entire care continuum—from mental health promotion and self-help tools to direct support for people in distress, access to online or in-person therapy, and connections to specialist services for those with enduring mental health conditions.

Q: How will the roadmap be developed, and who will be involved?

A: We are working with the Digital Health Association and have asked the sector to come back to us with a roadmap about where we want to head around functionality, and we are expecting to have that completed by around June or July. 

We are moving at pace, because we are of the view that a lot of the ideas and the solutions are actually already out in the community.

The roadmap will be a step-by-step approach, showing where we want to go and prioritising what needs to be done first. 

The first key function will likely be digital navigation, connecting people with existing services. Second, digitising programs like Access and Choice to improve the use of resources we already have. 

Then using the digital Mental Health Hub as a way of training for existing mental health and addiction professionals, to ensure that we are training them on embracing digital developments and technology. 

Q: What about funding—how will this initiative be resourced?

A: Funding is always a factor, but it should not dictate the approach. If you start with funding, people tailor solutions to fit available budgets rather than real needs. Instead, we will define the problems, agree on solutions through the roadmap, and then allocate resources accordingly.

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