A dedicated Youth Acute Respite Service will be set up in Northland and three Youth Suicide Prevention Coordination roles added across the Northern region, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

An extra $1.7 million a year is being directed to the region. Doocey said the service is intended as an alternative to hospital admission, acting as a “circuit breaker” to help de‑escalate crises and support young people following inpatient care. The three coordination roles are intended to guide young people to the right support sooner and strengthen the Northern region’s suicide prevention response.

The move follows last year’s coroner’s report into the deaths of six young people in Northland. Doocey said he disagreed with Health New Zealand’s initial response and has made it clear ringfenced mental health funding must follow areas of highest need and the coroner’s recommendations.

Key details — including who will run the respite service, where it will be located, when it will open, bed numbers, whether it will operate 24/7, referral pathways, and how outcomes will be measured — were not provided in the announcement. We have asked the Minister’s office and Health New Zealand for specifics and a timeline.

Doocey said the Government has increased ringfenced mental health funding in each Budget since taking office and has instructed Health New Zealand to take the coroner’s recommendations “extremely seriously,” including establishing the new roles.

Where to get help:

• If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
• Call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor, 24/7.
• Lifeline 0800 543 354 or free text HELP (4357)
• Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234
• Samaritans 0800 726 666