Imagine calling for help during a mental health crisis, only to have a police officer show up instead of a trained professional. This is the reality for thousands of people every year, and it’s a problem that’s finally getting the attention it deserves. Starting June 2025, four regions in New Zealand—Canterbury, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Counties Manukau—will see mental health professionals joining police on 111 callouts, thanks to a $28 million investment from Budget 2025. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this enough to address the long-standing gap between mental health care and law enforcement?
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the initiative at the Tauranga Police Station, emphasizing the need for a compassionate response to mental health crises. “It’s not right that when someone calls 111 seeking mental health support, they’re met with a criminal justice response,” he said. These co-response teams aim to provide immediate, on-the-spot support and connect individuals to the most appropriate services, reducing the reliance on emergency departments or police stations.
And this is the part most people miss: the Wellington co-response pilot program showed promising results, including fewer uses of the Mental Health Act, reduced hospital visits, and increased wraparound support. Doocey highlighted the emotional toll of having a uniformed officer arrive during a vulnerable moment, even when no crime has been committed. “For many, this can feel disheartening and distressing,” he explained. With 73,000 mental health-related 111 calls made annually, these teams could be a gamechanger for thousands.
But let’s not forget the history here: the previous National Government piloted co-response teams in 2017 with $8 million in funding, only to see it cut the following year under Labour. Now, the current government is reviving the initiative, calling it a “real gamechanger.” This builds on existing efforts, like the 60-minute handover from police to emergency department staff and the 30-minute transfer rule for those held under the Mental Health Act in police custody.
The teams in the four regions are set to launch by June 30, 2026, with six more locations to follow. While this is a significant step forward, it raises a thought-provoking question: Are we doing enough to prioritize mental health over criminalization? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you think this approach will work, or is there more we should be doing?
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