That is the message from Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust in Dunedin, which is deeply concerned more people are falling through the cracks in the mental health system.
Founded in 2014, the organisation receives no government funding, and is entirely funded through community grants and donations.
Life Matters co-manager Corinda Taylor said the organisation’s recent street appeal was affected by both the Omicron surge and the cold weather, with only half of the usual collectors able to take to the streets.
"This type of issue is common among social organisations like ours — everyone is really stretched," Ms Taylor said.
"It’s really tough out there."
Co-manager Clare Curran said the tight funding situation was happening against the backdrop of a lot of mental distress in the community.
"Every week, we seem to be busier, with people needing our help and peer support," Ms Curran said.
People were finding it increasingly difficult to access GP and counsellor appointments, and Dunedin Hospital’s Emergency Department and Emergency Psychiatric Services were under pressure.
"That makes it very hard for people who are facing a mental health crisis to get the help they need, and can put them at risk."
This was where a front-line organisation such as Life Matters came in, with trained peer support workers available to provide listening support and walk alongside people as they navigated the mental health system.
Ms Taylor said a peer support worker could help to de-escalate a dangerous situation and allow the person time to get the support they needed.
"In that way, we can help to bridge the gap and provide alternative support systems.
"Time and listening ears can be very helpful for people."
Ms Taylor said the Government had committed to increase funding to mental health services and improve the way they were delivered. But this was taking time to bed-in at the community level.
There were signs of change, but it was not happening fast enough to support the increasing numbers of people needing support for significant and life-threatening mental distress, Ms Taylor said.
"This puts pressure on community organisations like Life Matters, which now runs a Crisis Cafe one evening a week and would like to expand to meet the needs in the community," she said.
Ms Curran said it was heartening to see the Government’s announcement of crisis funding, including peer support services.
"The big question is, how will it filter down to where it is needed, on the front line," she said.
Many people who experienced mental distress needed time, sometimes years, to recover.
"So long as they have a peer supporter working alongside them, it validates what they are experiencing as real," she said.
"And life would be easier for many people if there was more of that support available."
Visit www.lifematters.org.nz for more information, or to make a donation.
