Researchers blame delay in care for mental crisis

Lack of early intervention is driving young people into a state of mental crisis, says a Mental Health Commission report.

The report says young adults could be driven into mental health crises because they were not getting mental health services early enough.

Earlier help would mean fewer young people being taken to acute in-patient services.

The research by Hilary Lapsley and Heather Barnett was based on interviews with 40 young people.

The findings showed that what these young adults needed was responsive services focused on their individual needs, commission chairwoman Ruth Harrison said yesterday.

Every year, about 18,000 young adults aged between 18 and 29 use New Zealand's mental health services. They are one of the largest groups of users.

The research suggested that people recovered better if they received assistance in their own homes or in their communities, said Ms Harrison.

"A range of community-based alternatives to acute mental health services, such as home-based treatment, and recovery houses is required.

"Mental health services need to be sensitive to the needs of young adults with trauma backgrounds."

Study participants often felt that they had no one to talk to, the report said.

"Talking therapies helped their recovery."

- NZPA