Mental Health & Addictions Service

Mental Health and Addiction Services will work with people affected by mental illness and addictions to engage the range of medical, psychological, social, cultural supports that help a person work towards their recovery. As part of Health Waikato we provide a specialist mental health and addictions service to the population of the greater Waikato region.

Information for referrers Tamahere Hospital and Healing Centre Tokanui Hospital History

Our Regional Forensic Service covers the wider Midland region which encompasses The Lakes, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty DHBs.

How to contact us

Our service includes a crisis service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for urgent situations. You can call them on 0800 50 50 50 if you have concerns.

All other enquiries can be directed to mentalhealth@waikatodhb.govt.nz

Initial assessment for Adult Mental Health Service - FAQs

Q. What is an Initial Assessment with the Adult Mental Health Service?

A. An Initial Assessment is a meeting between you and a mental health worker (often a nurse or doctor) to decide together whether the service can help you, and if not, to offer some alternatives which might suit you better.

Q. How long will it take?

A. We will make an appointment with you and you should allow a minimum of an hour for the meeting. It may take longer than this.

Q. Can I bring someone with me?

A. We encourage you to bring a support person, your family/whanau or a significant person in your life

Q. What will happen at the assessment?

A. The mental health worker who meets with you will talk with you:

• about the problem which has led to your referral to the service
• if you are taking any medication and if so, what this is
• about whether you have been seen by the service before
• what needs to happen next
  

Q. What will happen to the information I give you?

A. The worker will write this information down on a standard assessment form. It is confidential and will only be shared with those involved in your care. You can ask to see your file at any time. (Please ask us for information on how to do this).

Q. Who will make decisions about what is going to happen?

A. Any decisions made about your care will be in partnership between yourself (and your family/whanau if you wish) and the staff from the service.

Q. What if I can’t come?

A. It would be a great help if you could let us know as soon as possible if you can’t attend your appointment time. We can then make another time with you or make other arrangements. When you do come, because appointments are closely scheduled, it would help us if you could be on time.