Shoots of hope

— Rae Lamb Chief Executive Te Pou and Blueprint for Learning

Times are challenging right now for the mental health and addiction workforce.

If you have seen the headlines this year, you will know that there are critical workforce challenges and gaps across the health sector, including in mental health and addiction (MHA) services.

Indications are that there has been a 60 per cent increase in adults reporting symptoms of high anxiety or depression since 2016.

Some of the very people working hard to improve the mental health and wellbeing of others report feeling exhausted, overworked, distressed and burnt out.

However, as we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, there are shoots of growth to celebrate and reasons to feel hopeful.

Workforce challenges

The MHA workforce totals over 15,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions (both employed and vacant) working in primary care services, non-government organisations (NGOs) and in Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora healthcare settings.

This workforce is diverse, highly qualified and experienced, generally reporting high levels of job satisfaction.

Yet, there are challenges, including strong competition for workers and not enough people to fill roles. According to research done by Te Pou in 2022, job vacancy rates in MHA services were double those of 2018, and resignation rates were high compared to recruitment. In addition, there is an aging workforce to consider, with nearly half of Health New Zealand MHA employees aged 50 and older.

These challenges are not unique to New Zealand. The World Health Organization estimates a projected shortfall of 10 million health workers globally by 2030.

Attracting, retaining, and supporting the wellbeing of MHA workers is crucial as we compete in an international market.

Shoots of hope

At Te Pou, we support the MHA workforce in all its guises. We are seeing initiatives making positive in-roads against the challenges.

One such initiative is the New Entry to Specialist Practice (NESP) programme. Funded by Health NZ and administered by Te Pou, the programme enables newly graduated and registered nurses, as well as eligible allied health practitioners, to develop specialist clinical mental health and addiction skills.

Since transferring to Te Pou in 2010, the NESP programme has grown significantly, with the number of funded places tripling to 400 this year. In fact, 2024 has seen the largest number of NESP nurses and allied health workers to date since the programme began.

In primary care, we see positive signs in the work of health improvement practitioners (HIPs), health coaches and support workers in general practices. There are more than 450 HIPs and nearly 700 health coaches fully trained, with positive feedback from patients who report on their increased levels of wellbeing and confidence.

Another reason for hope is the growth of the lived experience workforce. By 2022, there were more than 500 FTE lived experience positions in NGO MHA services, mostly peer or whānau support roles.

We are seeing the lived experience workforce continue to grow, particularly in the NGO and community sector, and with new leadership and other roles emerging.

Further to this, five public hospitals are soon to trial peer support workers in their emergency departments (EDs). This initiative, announced by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey in March, aims to provide mental health support to people in EDs, and free up clinical staff for clinical work.

Increasing mental health literacy in the community

Prevention and early support and intervention remain important. Programmes like MH101®, Addiction 101 and Weathering the Storm from Blueprint for Learning and Mental Health First Aid are lifting mental health literacy in the community.

In 2023, there were 373 Blueprint for Learning workshops delivered, attended by 6,171 participants who subsequently reported significant growth in knowledge and confidence.

MHFA Aotearoa is an evidence-based, internationally recognised programme that teaches adults how to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. At Te Pou, we train the trainers, building a network of instructors across New Zealand delivering MHFA workshops in schools, workplaces and the community. To date, more than 7000 people in New Zealand have become Mental Health First Aiders, equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to someone needing mental health support.

The Youth MHFA programme focuses on how adults can support young people (aged 11 to 18) with mental health challenges. Launched in 2023 in Southern Lakes, thanks to funding support from Te Hau Toka, this programme is making a difference, particularly in intermediate and high schools.

Conclusion

Although the MHA sector is facing a challenging time, there are some reasons to feel hopeful.

We applaud those working hard behind the scenes and those leading from the front who are making a difference. Change is happening, and progress is being made, but there is still work to do. If we put the wellbeing of people first, together we can make a difference in our workplaces, our homes and our communities.