Articles tagged with Peer Support Specialists

Whakatāne’s Resilience Café Receives Government Funding Boost for Extended Hours and Capacity

1 week ago | 113 views

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced additional funding for Whakatāne’s Resilience Café during the Rural Health Roadshow's final stop. The funding will extend the café's hours, increase staff capacity, and support the expansion of peer support services. This initiative is part of the government's plan to enhance mental health support, including the establishment of six new Crisis Recovery Cafes by June 2026.

Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey Whakatāne Resilience Café Government peer support specialists New Zealand crisis recovery cafes mental health plan Rural Health Roadshow

New Mental Health Accreditation Pathway Opens Doors for 330 Counsellors in NZ Public Services

3 months ago | 872 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announces the removal of a workforce barrier for over 330 experienced counsellors in publicly funded mental health services through a revised accreditation process with Health New Zealand and NZAC. The strengthened accreditation pathway aims to address workforce shortages and increase timely mental health support for New Zealanders. The initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce vacancies, utilize underutilized workforces, and improve access to mental health services.

Tags: Matt Doocey Health New Zealand New Zealand Association of Counsellors workforce barriers mental health support workforce shortages Health NZ counselling primary mental health workforce peer support specialists