Growth of frontline mental health workers to continue

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the release of the refreshed Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan, highlighting progress since the government’s initial workforce strategy. The plan was developed to address workforce shortages that had previously delayed access to mental health and addiction services for New Zealanders. Doocey noted that the government prioritised publishing the dedicated workforce plan within its first year in office to tackle these barriers directly.

The refreshed plan builds on workforce growth that has already resulted in more New Zealanders receiving faster access to support. Since taking office, the frontline mental health and addiction workforce has expanded by 11 per cent, with targeted increases in specialist training programmes. The government has raised first-year psychiatry registrar intake by 50 per cent and is doubling clinical psychology internships, alongside reductions in registered nurse and psychiatry vacancies across Health New Zealand.

For the first time, the workforce has exceeded training targets, with 514 new workers starting training compared to 457 in 2023. These gains have translated into improved access times, with nearly 84 per cent of people accessing primary mental health support within one week and over 82 per cent accessing specialist services within three weeks. The refreshed plan now introduces a dedicated focus on digital mental health to further enhance service delivery and workforce capability.

The plan also prioritises investment in the mental health NGO frontline workforce, recognising their critical role in community support. It aims to grow specialist workforces to meet emerging pressures, including forensic demand and substance-related harm, while strengthening the overall mental health and addiction workforce pipeline. The government states it has delivered on its commitments to expand frontline workers, improve access, and enhance crisis response.