A new community based mental health and wellness day service which supports people to live well in the community will start in Lower Hutt this month.
The new service will be provided by Pathways Health Limited, a non-government provider of community-based mental health services. The service will start on the 14 September 2015 and replace the one currently run from the inpatient mental health unit at Hutt Hospital.
Nigel Fairley, general manager of the mental health, addiction, and intellectual disability service says clients who use this service are living in the community, and it makes sense that it’s based in the community.
“Research shows community based day programmes help mental health clients recover and develop resilience,” Mr Fairley says. “Many other district health boards have moved to community based day programmes and have found the change to be very positive for their clients.”
Mr Fairley explains a range of health professionals and peer support workers will work with the clients, as well as wellbeing activity specialists who are recognised experts in their fields such as yoga instructors, artists, physical exercise professionals and Maori health specialists.
“The new service will also work closely with other local providers to ensure it complements the support people may be getting from other services.
“People will use this service short term usually between two to four weeks, and we expect there will be around 15 clients using the service at the time the new service starts.
“For clients currently using the service there will be no immediate change and they will continue to receive the same support.”
Mr Fairley says that prior to the new service opening, staff will connect with each client and work alongside them and their key support people to create a transition plan which meets their individual needs and wishes. Some clients may transition to the new service, while others may be identified as requiring other targeted support.
The new day programme will be based in Kings Crescent, in central Lower Hutt and operates during weekdays. A daily and weekend mobile support service which visits clients in their own homes is also available.
Sally Pitts-Brown, CEO of Pathways, says the organisation is one of New Zealand’s leading national provider of mental health and wellness services and began in 1989.
“We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with the DHB to enable people to live their dreams and flourish. We look forward to working with people in the community to enable access to resources and supports to improve their health and wellbeing.”
