Auckland is included in a funding boost for community organisations aimed at faster access to mental health support, says Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.

He says the funding is designed to remove barriers, help people access the right support earlier, and make support available when and where it’s needed.

One of the funded groups, Hearts and Minds, will expand early intervention and navigation services in Waitematā.

It will help more than 600 people access timely support through Support Coordinators who connect people with resources and support.

Asian Family Services will also provide culturally appropriate mental health support in Auckland and Wellington, plus national telehealth services.

It is expected to reach more than 1,500 people.

Other funded work includes a new digital service in Canterbury through The Loft, and an expansion of MATES in Construction to reach an additional 3,000 construction workers across 19 regions.

For Hibiscus Coast readers, the key detail is that some of the funded work is planned for Waitematā and Auckland, and Asian Family Services will also offer national telehealth support.

The funding boost comes from the Mental Health Innovation Fund.

In the second funding round, the matched funding threshold was lowered from $250,000 to $100,000 to allow a wider range of community-led initiatives.

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