6. Mental Health Services—FundingBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country) to the Minister of HealthMental Health Services—Funding6. BARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country) to the Minister of Health: Can he confirm the details of the $100 million social investment fund for mental health and how will it help provide earlier intervention and improve services for New Zealanders suffering from mental health issues?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): In line with international trends the demand for mental health services has increased significantly in recent times. Yesterday the Government announced a package of 17 new initiatives designed to improve access to effective and responsive mental health services while at the same time starting to shift our focus towards prevention early intervention and resilience building. The new approach includes improving mental health across the life course by helping to build resilience in children and young people and by addressing known risk factors including trauma early on in life. This $100 million package is part of the $224 million boost for mental health services delivered in Budget 2017.Barbara Kuriger: What areas will the $100 million package focus on?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The package divides into four groupings: firstly a $23 million schools-based package focused on building student resilience and increasing access to appropriate services. Secondly there is $50 million across a range of primary and community mental health care initiatives including $5 million for suicide support and $8 million to further improve support for people experiencing acute and emergency mental health needs. Thirdly there is $10 million for a distance and e-therapy package which will play a significant role in delivering accessible care. Finally there is $20 million for adapting trialling and evaluating successful overseas programmes so they can be applied here in New Zealand. While there is further work to be done to transform our approach to mental health I am confident that we are heading in the right direction.Dr David Clark: After 9 years does he think it is acceptable that right before an election after the policies had to be rewritten outside his department the Government re-announces mental health funding that it has not even appropriated yet?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The member is totally incorrect. There was $100 million as part of that $224 million package during Budget 2017. That was appropriated and yesterday we announced the detail of that package. I think the member would be asking further questions if we had not announced the detail. So he wants to have it both ways.Dr David Clark: I seek leave to table documents showing that the national mental health service appropriation in Budget 2017 is $22 million less than in Budget 2008.Mr SPEAKER: I just want the source of the document.Dr David Clark: It is a document prepared by the Parliamentary Library today and delivered to my office.Mr SPEAKER: I will put the leave and the House can decide. Leave is sought to table that particular Parliamentary Library information. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.