Podcasts Other The Mike Hosking Breakfast 'Not enough specialists': Mental health services falling short, medicalised care not always best solution

'Not enough specialists': Mental health services falling short, medicalised care not always best solution

Published: Oct. 2, 2022, 10:37 p.m.

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Fewer children and teens were treated by specialist mental health services last year.

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Briefings to the Prime Minister show the Health Ministry flagged concerns about the ability to keep up with rising demand last September.

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A senior official says pressures from Covid and workforce issues has likely seen services balance taking on new referrals with their ability to operate.

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Otago University Senior Paediatrics Lecturer Dame Sue Bagshaw told Tim Dower issues are being medicalised.

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She says we tend to see a doctor, when a youth worker may be more useful.

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Bagshaw says the issues they\'re seeing are the same but they\'re being amplified by social media.

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