Articles tagged with Youthline

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New Zealand Enhances Mental Health Telehealth Services with Expanded Support and Faster Access

08 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 73 views

An 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 support

Government to Publicly Report Youth Mental Health Support Access Speeds Quarterly

22 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 511 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced that the Government will begin publicly reporting the speed at which young people access mental health support in quarterly target results to increase transparency and accountability. Despite improvements, barriers such as lack of awareness and embarrassment persist, prompting initiatives like the Youth Mental Health Summit and increased funding for youth services. Current data shows that over 73% to 79% of young people are accessing various mental health services within target timeframes, with ongoing efforts to improve these outcomes.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Youthline Mental Health Foundation New Zealand Gumboot Friday Youth Mental Health Summit young people mental health support government

Government Invests $10M to Boost NZ Mental Health Telehealth Services

12 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 494 views

The 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