A growing trend of children aged younger than 10 being referred for mental health services is emerging in Dunedin, a mental health services director says.
Mirror Services director Deb Fraser, of Dunedin, said there had been a "considerable spike" in referrals of Dunedin children, aged 19 and younger, for its counselling and treatment programmes since lockdown.
By July, more than 100 young people were on a waiting list for services.
Consequently, Mirror Services closed itself to referrals between mid-July and the end of September in a bid to clear the waiting list.
"We weren’t able to offer a service in a timely manner so we felt a need to put a hold on those referrals until we tended to those who were waiting."
Mirror Services reopened to referrals at the end of September.
Since reopening, referrals had been "steady", Mrs Fraser said.
"We are trying to manage them in the best way that we can. We are responding, however, we continue to remain concerned at the high rates of referrals that are coming into our service."
The children being referred — who were all from the wider Dunedin district — were aged between 5 and 19.
The children were presenting with feelings such as anxiety, low mood and relationship issues with their parents, she said.
Southern District Health Board mental health, addictions and intellectual disability general manager Louise Travers said there had been an increase in referrals for the youth mental health services provided by the board and non-governmental organisations (NGO) in Dunedin.
"[It’s] been an unusual year with the impact of Covid-19 on our community."
The board’s child and youth mental health services had 14 young people in Dunedin waiting to be seen, compared to no-one waiting in January, Ms Travers said.
"Most young people referred were being seen within two weeks of referral."
However, NGO child and youth providers had reported increased demand with waiting times of up to eight weeks, Ms Travers said.
People needing help should reach out to their general practice in the first instance, text or call 1737, or contact emergency psychiatric services in a mental health emergency, she said.
Hope Centre general manager Corinda Taylor, of Dunedin, said the increase in referrals of young people was "not good"’.
The wait between two and eight weeks to access services was too long, Mrs Taylor said.
"If you are in crisis you need to be seen straight away and not have to wait until the services can accommodate them."
Changes had to be made to get more counsellors and clinical psychologists qualified to cope with demand, she said.
The centre provided support to anyone wanting to navigate the mental health system, Mrs Taylor said.
Need to talk?
- 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number
- Youthline: 0800 376-633, txt 234 or talk@youthline.co.nz
- What’s Up (for 5-18 year olds; 1pm-11pm): 0800 942-8787
- Kidsline (aimed at children up to age 14; 4pm-6pm weekdays): 0800 54-37-54 (0800 kidsline)
- Rainbow youth (LGBTQ youth helpline): (09) 376-4155
- Netsafe (online bullying, harassment or abuse): 0508638-723
- Healthline: 0800 611-116
- Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800543-354
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
