Primary Mental Health
Te Pou Ora o te Piringatahia is a Northland regional strategy that involves bothTe Tai Tokerau and Manaia Primary Health Organisations (PHO).
The name Te Pou Ora o te Piringatahi was gifted to the PHO’s as a koha by a group of Northland Kuia & Kaumatua to acknowledge their collective strength to improve health and wellbeing.
The objectives are:
- To improve the identification, treatment and support for people with Mental Health & Addiction issues in Primary care.
- To provide better follow up and coordination.
- To promote better understanding and prevention of Mental health and Addiction issues in Northland.
Who is eligible for this support?
You can receive support from this service :
- If you are enrolled with Te Tai Tokerau PHO through your local general practice
- If you present with a mild to moderate mental health issue – this may include – grief from trauma, stress such as experienced in loss of work or relationship break up, depression , anxiety, postnatal depression and challenges from everyday living that seem to accumulate without a way to manage.
More serious mental health issues remain the specialist area of Northland DHB Mental Health & Addiction services.
Where are the services:
Ngati Hine Hauora Whanui – ph 09 4041551
Covering Kawkawa,Moerewa, Paihia , Kerikeri Whangaroa
Te Hiku Hauora – Kaitaia ph 09 4084024
Broadway Health Centre – Kaikohe : 09 4011556
Hauora Hokianga – Rawene – ph 09 405- 7709
Background Information
Six new initiatives have been implemented by the PHOs:
- A practitioner role has been established with six experienced Mental Health professionals employed across Northland to work with GP/Practice Nurses/Primary care staff in the care of clients with mild to moderate mental health issues.
- A website and database has been developed to collect and track information to better understand the mental health needs of the Northland population.
- Subsidised counselling has been made available for enrolled patients who are not eligible for government subsidised counselling.
- Hauora Hokianga and Whangaroa have established a therapeutic recreation project where an experienced professional has been employed to promote healthy lifestyle and coping strategies / programs for difficult to access communities.
- The Relapse Prevention initiative provides specific support for patients ready for discharge from secondary mental services and resources a case managed transition back into the care of their GP.
A significant workforce development initiative commenced with a needs analysis, and the resulting education and training aimed to build the capacity of the primary health workforce to provide care to patients with mental health issues.