Articles tagged with Drug And Alcohol Counsellors

New Zealand Invests $20M to Support Families and Prevent Addiction Harm by 2029

3 weeks ago | 130 views

The New Zealand government is investing nearly $20 million annually in a new Action Plan to improve addiction support, focusing on early intervention, expanded pregnancy and parenting services, and community-based follow-up for those affected by substance use. Emphasizing the critical first 1000 days of a child's life, the plan aims to prevent harm through early identification and enhanced support for families experiencing alcohol or drug issues. Progress includes a growing addiction workforce and reduced counselor vacancies, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing addiction comprehensively across all stages.

Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand addiction substance harm mental health fetal alcohol spectrum disorder methamphetamine parenting support drug and alcohol counsellors Action Plan

Mental Health Workforce Grows 11% with Vacancies Halved in New Zealand

3 months ago | 632 views

The frontline mental health and addiction workforce in New Zealand has grown by over 11% under the current Government, resulting in significantly reduced vacancy rates across key professions such as social workers, nurses, and counsellors. This workforce expansion has improved access to mental health services, with more than 83% of people receiving primary support within one week and over 82% accessing specialist services within three weeks. The Government’s focused mental health workforce plan, implemented in response to previous challenges, is delivering faster support and aims to continue this positive momentum into 2026.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health New Zealand clinical psychology psychiatry social workers mental health nurses drug and alcohol counsellors Health Workforce Information Programme