Aronui Ora | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai

The Urgent Response Service is often the first point of contact with mental health services. 
Call directly 0800 800 717

The Urgent Response Service is a 24/7 mental health crisis response line.  Calls are answered by the Te Toka Tumai Auckland Contact Call Centre.  You will be phoned back by the Urgent Response Service, this usually happens within 10 minutes.

The multi-disciplinary team is made up of mental health professionals from the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, psychotherapy and nursing.  There are team members with specialist knowledge in the area of infant care and attachment (promoting a secure parent and infant relationship).

Please ensure the person referred has made an informed choice and given informed consent to the referral. 

Compulsory assessment and treatment may occur in accordance with the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.

The criteria for Aronui Ora are that the referred person:

1.1 Is eligible to receive public health services in New Zealand, OR
1.2 If ineligible to receive public health services in New Zealand, requires an urgent mental health  assessment during pregnancy or parenting in the first year of an infant’s life, AND

2.1 Is residing within the central Auckland District/Te Toka Tumai catchment area; OR
2.2 Is an inpatient at a maternity ward at Auckland Central Hospital; AND

3.1  Requires a pre-pregnancy consultation where psychotropic medication or mental state may be significantly affected by pregnancy; OR
3.2  Is pregnant; OR
3.3  Is a caregiver of an infant under twelve months of age; AND

4.1 The primary reason for referral is that the person would likely meet criteria for a moderate to severe ‘mental disorder’, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM); AND
4.2 The identified needs would not be better served by a more appropriate service provider

The Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa website offers an extensive range of information, resources and links dedicated to the subject of maternal mental health and early parenthood.           

When making a referral to Aronui Ora, it is important to consider any associated risks or needs that may be mistakenly identified as a maternal mental health issue.  Such issues include:

• Moderate to severe mental ill-health primarily related to an enduring condition (refer to a Community Mental Health Centre, and we can offer shared care upon acceptance)  
• The normal challenges and struggles associated with pregnancy and early parenthood (consider liaison with Lead Maternity Caregiver and/or Wellchild Provider)
• Needing information about pregnancy options, including where to access abortion services (refer to 0800 Decide for more details)
• Pre-existing medical conditions and/or obstetric complications
• Developmental problems or delays with the foetus/infant
• Addiction and dependency to alcohol and/or drugs (see Community Alcohol and Drug Services Auckland for advice and support)  
• Family Violence (refer to Shine* for advice and support)
• Distress primarily related to hyperemesis (nausea and vomiting) 
• The potential abuse or neglect of children (see Oranga Tamariki/Ministry for Children for advice)
• Complicated grief and loss (see Skylight or Sands New Zealand for more information)
• Separation or divorce (see details about the Parenting Through Separation course)
• The need for social work support to access welfare, health, education and other services (consider referral to Family Start, for example)
• Housing and/or financial difficulties (see Work and Income New Zealand, or locate a free budgeting service at the National Building Financial Capability Charitable Trust)

For other relevant health and social services, the Ministry of Social Development offers a searchable database called the Family Service Directory.

Free

Aronui Ora is a service offered without charge to people eligible for public health services in New Zealand, who are residing in the Auckland District/Te Toka Tumai area.  Specialist risk and mental health assessment may be provided without charge to people who are ineligible for public health services in New Zealand.  

Open today 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

For urgent matters after hours, please call the Urgent Response Service on 0800 800 717.

Wheelchair access, Wheelchair accessible toilet

A number of buses come near, or through, Greenlane Clinical Centre.  To plan your journey, visit:

https://at.govt.nz/

For clinic-based appointments, paid parking is available within the Greenlane Clinical Centre complex.  Free two hour parking is available behind the campus on Claude Road (near the entrance to Aronui Ora). The service has two designated carparks available - a pass card is available from reception and must be displayed.

www.adhb.health.nz/