【新西兰华人每日资讯网 7月31日报道】

新西兰政府宣布，将在汉密尔顿（Hamilton）、尼尔森（Nelson）和霍克斯湾（Hawke’s Bay）建立三个新的青年中心（Youth Hubs），帮助年轻人更快速获得心理健康和成瘾支持服务。

心理健康部长 Matt Doocey 表示，政府将投入 300万纽元 建立青年中心，为16至25岁的年轻人提供更便捷的一站式支持。

他说，进入成年阶段对于许多年轻人来说充满挑战，青年中心的目标是减少求助障碍，让他们更容易找到需要的帮助。

目前，一些年轻人反映心理健康服务体系较为分散，不清楚应该向哪里求助。数据显示，约三分之一儿童因“不知道去哪里或找谁帮助”而未能获得所需心理支持。

新青年中心将整合多种服务，包括：

• 心理咨询；
• 同龄人支持（peer support）；
• 专业心理健康服务；
• 危机干预支持。

政府表示，年轻人也将参与青年中心的设计，确保服务符合他们的实际需求。

三个青年中心预计将在 2026年底前投入运营。

此外，政府还通过近期“预防自杀行动计划”（Suicide Prevention Action Plan）投入 100万纽元，改善怀卡托和霍克斯湾地区青年紧急心理支持服务，包括增加工作人员、同伴支持岗位和日间项目。

Matt Doocey表示，当年轻人处于严重心理压力时，及时获得安全、友善的支持环境非常重要。这些投资旨在避免年轻人在危机中被遗漏，帮助他们在需要时获得正确支持。

编辑点评：

青年心理健康已成为新西兰社会关注的重要议题。通过建立更容易进入的社区支持中心，政府希望减少年轻人寻求帮助的门槛，提高心理健康服务覆盖率。

（来源：New Zealand Government / Mental Health portfolio）

Young people in Hamilton, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay will soon have faster access to mental health and addiction support through three new Youth Hubs, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

“The Government is investing $3 million to establish three new Youth Hubs that will make it easier for young people aged 16 to 25 to access mental health and addiction support, delivering on our plan for faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response,” Mr Doocey says.

“We know the transition into adulthood can be a challenging time, and it’s critical young people have access to the support they need. These hubs are about making it easier to get help by removing unnecessary barriers.

“I have heard from too many young people that, in a time of need, the system can feel too fragmented, and they don’t know where to go for help. Not knowing where to go or who to talk to has been reported as the reason for unmet mental health needs for around one in three children.

“These hubs will help remove that barrier by bringing support together in one place, so young people spend less time having to navigate the system and instead focus on getting what they need.

“Through the hubs, young people will have access to counselling, peer support, and specialist mental health support.

“Importantly, young people are helping shape the design of the hubs, ensuring they reflect their needs and what works best for them. Young people should have a say in the support they receive, and these hubs put their voices at the centre of how youth mental health services are designed and delivered.

All three hubs are expected to begin operating by the end of 2026.

Mr Doocey says the Government’s $1 million investment through the recent Suicide Prevention Action Plan is also supporting improvements to youth acute respite services in Waikato and Hawke’s Bay.

“This investment is supporting existing youth acute respite services through increased staffing, peer support roles, and new day programmes.

“When a young person is experiencing acute distress, it’s important they have a safe and welcoming place to go for support. This investment will help ensure the right support is available at the right time, before situations escalate to emergency departments or inpatient care.

“Together, these investments are another step forward in fixing the basics and building the future, so young people aren’t falling through the cracks and can access the support they need.”