Articles tagged with Lifeline
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New Zealand Enhances Mental Health Telehealth Services with Expanded Support and Faster Access
08 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 73 viewsAn independent review of mental health and addiction telehealth services revealed that while core safety systems are in place, many people face long wait times and inconsistent follow-up after referrals. In response, the government is expanding peer support hours, piloting proactive follow-up calls, establishing a dedicated 24/7 national suicide prevention crisis line, and considering a telehealth target to improve wait times. Recent investments of over $10 million aim to enhance service capacity and ensure timely, accessible support for those in need.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health New Zealand Whakarongorau 1737 Lifeline Youthline telehealth suicide prevention peer supportGovernment Invests $10M to Boost NZ Mental Health Telehealth Services
12 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 494 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing over $10 million to strengthen mental health and addiction telehealth services, including funding for Lifeline, Youthline, and Whakarongorau to increase capacity and reduce wait times. This package will support approximately 16,000 additional calls and introduce an AI-enabled triage and referral tool to improve service efficiency and connect people to appropriate support. The funding provides Lifeline with operational certainty for 2026/2027 and expands Youthline’s capacity by 44 percent, addressing growing demand across the sector.
Tags: Lifeline Youthline Whakarongorau Matt Doocey New Zealand mental health addiction telehealth AI triage tool Government funding