A new study has highlighted critical gaps in New Zealand’s early intervention services for individuals experiencing psychotic symptoms, revealing that many are not receiving help quickly enough, resulting in avoidable hospitalizations.
New Zealand has 12 “early intervention services” designed to treat young people who exhibit early signs of psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms. These services aim to provide support within the first two years of onset to improve long-term outcomes.
However, a survey conducted between 2022 and 2024, published in the Early Intervention in Psychiatry journal, found that just one of these services meets the international best practice standard of seeing 80 percent of patients before hospitalization.
Dr. Rebecca Grattan, a psychology lecturer at Victoria University and lead author of the study, emphasized the strain these services are under. “The services are really good, but clinicians are feeling stretched due to insufficient resources, making it difficult to meet the growing demand,” Grattan said.
Access Issues and Age Restrictions
The study also found that many of the services set age restrictions, limiting access to individuals who could benefit from early intervention. Age limits typically range from 13 to 18 years at the lower end, and 25 to 30 years at the upper end. While younger people are more susceptible to psychosis, older individuals can also experience symptoms, leaving some people ineligible for care.
“The age restrictions mean that some at-risk individuals are unable to access the help they need,” Grattan explained.
In addition, many districts across New Zealand, especially rural areas, lack early intervention services. For instance, the Bay of Plenty, which has a population of approximately 309,000, with 29 percent Māori, does not have a dedicated early psychosis service. This gap disproportionately impacts rural and Māori communities, where individuals often need to relocate for care, further exacerbating their conditions due to delays.
Overwhelmed Services and Limited Resources
Grattan also pointed to the overwhelming pressure on mental health services as a key factor contributing to these delays. “The resources are so stretched that services have to be highly selective about who they accept,” she said. “Patients are often referred to other services, which are also overwhelmed, resulting in people being ‘bounced around’ and getting sicker in the process.”
Early intervention has been shown to improve outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders, potentially reducing long-term disability and saving significant healthcare costs. However, when treatment is delayed, patients are more likely to experience worsening symptoms.
“We know that with early intervention, the outcomes are much better,” Grattan said. “Some people experience only one isolated episode and recover, while others continue to live their lives with minimal disruption. Without timely intervention, however, many will develop more severe symptoms.”
Health NZ Acknowledges Room for Improvement
Health NZ has responded to the study’s findings, acknowledging that while the country’s services are largely in line with international standards, improvements are still necessary. Dr. Leanne Fisher, Head of Mental Health and Addiction Services, stressed the importance of timely access to early psychosis services.
“Timely access to early intervention psychosis services is crucial for supporting recovery,” Fisher said. “We recognize that there are areas for improvement, including eligibility criteria, cultural services, and greater access to therapy and family involvement.”
Health NZ is committed to enhancing service availability and reducing wait times in line with the government’s mental health priorities. This includes expanding the mental health workforce and increasing investment in prevention and early intervention strategies.
The study’s findings highlight a pressing need for greater resources, broader access, and more efficient service delivery to ensure that individuals at risk of psychosis receive the timely care they need to improve their chances of recovery.
Related Topics
