Rethinking Mental Health Care In New Zealand

As a psychiatrist, I’ve come to a realisation. We don’t need more of us. I used to think that having more psychiatrists on the frontlines would help deal with the onslaught of mental illness. That was naive of me. The demand for more psychiatrists is misguided. We don’t need a legion of lab coats; we need a revolution in mental health care.

So, what’s the solution? First, we need to understand what is driving the crisis. What is the source of the problem? If we throw psychiatrists at the problem, we’re only going to be playing with smoke and mirrors. We need to address the root causes and build policies to prevent these factors from coalescing in the first place. Prevention is always better than cure. But this is going to be hard work, and it will take time. I estimate 2 generations.

The mental health crisis is global and it affects people of every skin colour, creed, age and status. According to one survey, 70% of university students have struggled with mental health since starting university. But only 37% get help because of past negative experiences, perceived ineffectiveness of mental health care, social stigma, cost, and uncertainty about accessing resources.

Addressing this crisis requires concerted attention from governments, private industry, universities, schools, workplaces, and families. With effective interventions, digital innovation, and rebuilt legislation and policies, I believe we can resolve the crisis or at least mitigate its impact.

Building a mental health system requires a shift in focus. Diagnosis in psychiatry is often based on subjective data, leading to inconsistencies in care. The current system often involves multiple layers of assessment and decision-making by professionals who may never meet the patient. This process can be lengthy and impersonal, hindering the development of a therapeutic relationship.

The real power lies within the community—neighbours, teachers, friends—who provide consistent support. We should focus our efforts on empowering these everyday heroes and invest in community-based systems that form the foundation of resilience. Instead of funding respite hours only, what if parents could use have access to funds for cleaning, dishwashing, gardening etc so they can spend the time with their kid instead?

Funding should be redirected towards community parenting supports, education, and grassroots initiatives. Change happens not in sterile clinics, but in living rooms, schoolyards, and local gatherings. The New Zealand Government has pledged $89 million to enhance the learning environments for students with special needs, a strategic move towards improving both the mental health and educational outcomes for our children.

We need more peer support or consumer advisors to help patients form a tribe. Parents can play an incredibly important role in our community, even without personal mental health experiences, particularly through their relationships with their children. They are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact on the mental health crisis.

Innovation cannot thrive in bureaucratic corridors. It flourishes where agility meets resources. Let’s allow local entrepreneurship and private sector strength to shine. We can’t rely on the government or health professionals to fix the health system.

Raising children in the modern world is hard. Conventional psychiatry fails to address the mental health crisis we are facing. As parents, you are the agents of change. Your intimate knowledge of your child’s history and environment is vital for effective care and support, something that cannot be duplicated in a psychiatrist’s office.

More psychiatrists won’t save us. Stronger communities will. Let’s challenge norms, defy bureaucracy, and champion community-driven mental health. It’s time to rewrite the narrative.