18 Mar 2024

Change brings fears for those suffering mental breakdowns

From Morning Report, 7:49 am on 18 March 2024

People who've suffered acute mental breakdowns fear the health system won't be ready to fill the gap when police withdraw from crisis callouts.

The Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey, has floated the idea of having a specific mental health option when people call 111.

Health New Zealand says it's working with police on plans to move to a multi-agency response to mental distress.

Ruth Hill reports.