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Community Mental Health Services - Adult | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai
Public Service, Psychiatry, Community, Mental Health
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Description
Community Mental Health Service
The Te Toka Tumai Auckland Community Mental Health services provide a range of services for adults with moderate to severe mental illness or psychological distress. Services are provided via multi-disciplinary teams which include psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers.
- Community Acute Service (24 hours, 7 days a week)
- Care and Recovery
- Early intervention (a multi-disciplinary intensive service for adults aged 18 - 30 who experience a first episode of psychosis).
- Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS)
- Service Coordination
Referral Expectations
You may be referred to a Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) by your GP if your symptoms are severe and you are having difficulties functioning in your everyday life. Sometimes there may be a waiting period before you are offered an appointment at the CMHC. If your problem is very urgent, you will be seen the same day you are referred.
When you first come to the CMHC, you will usually be assessed by two health professionals, for example, a doctor and a nurse. Following completion of the assessment, you may be assigned a key worker, who is a member of the multi-disciplinary team. This person will coordinate your ongoing care and support in the CMHC and in the community. The multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is a group of experienced mental health professionals including Psychiatrists, Registered Nurses, Psychologists, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists. At times, doctors who are training to be psychiatrists (registrars) may be part of your care. CMHCs also provide training for a range of health professionals e.g. student nurses. Students are supervised by a health professional in the CMHC and you will always be asked to agree to have a student involved with your care.
Our aim is to provide recovery focused services and after a period of assessment, treatment, support and rehabilitation with the CMHC team, you will become well enough to be discharged back into the care of your GP. The CMHC will discharge you only after consultation with yourself, your family (whānau) or other significant person (if involved in your care and treatment) and your GP.
Once discharged, you may be referred back to the CMHC by your GP at any time you need more intensive or specialist help. Usually all referrals, assessments and interventions will be done with your consent but if you are so mentally unwell that you have no awareness of your health and are consequently unable to agree to treatment, then your treatment and care will be compulsory under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. This Act is designed to provide assessment and safe treatment without causing you further harm of any sort. As soon as you are well and safe enough, you will be discharged from under the MH (CAT) Act 1992.
Fees and Charges Description
Non NZ residents may be charged for some services. Emergency psychiatric services or services provided under the Mental Health Act are free.
Hours
Mon – Fri | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
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For urgent assistance after hours 7 days a week: 0800 800 717
Reception opens at 8.30am
"Closed public holidays"
Common Conditions
Mental illness is a clinically significant behaviour or psychological (to do with the mind) disorder that is associated with distress or disability. It is not just the way someone responds to a particular event nor is it limited to the way a person interacts with society. A mental illness can continuously or intermittently (occasionally) affect our capacity for speech, language, mood, affect, thoughts, perceptions, insight, judgement, cognition (understanding) and volition (ability to make choices). It can limit our ability to function as society would normally expect of us and can put us and others at risk. Mental illness is therefore, a broad term that covers problems ranging from minor to severe disorders.
Mental illness is a clinically significant behaviour or psychological (to do with the mind) disorder that is associated with distress or disability. It is not just the way someone responds to a particular event nor is it limited to the way a person interacts with society. A mental illness can continuously or intermittently (occasionally) affect our capacity for speech, language, mood, affect, thoughts, perceptions, insight, judgement, cognition (understanding) and volition (ability to make choices). It can limit our ability to function as society would normally expect of us and can put us and others at risk. Mental illness is therefore, a broad term that covers problems ranging from minor to severe disorders.
Mental illness is a clinically significant behaviour or psychological (to do with the mind) disorder that is associated with distress or disability. It is not just the way someone responds to a particular event nor is it limited to the way a person interacts with society.
A mental illness can continuously or intermittently (occasionally) affect our capacity for speech, language, mood, affect, thoughts, perceptions, insight, judgement, cognition (understanding) and volition (ability to make choices). It can limit our ability to function as society would normally expect of us and can put us and others at risk.
Mental illness is therefore, a broad term that covers problems ranging from minor to severe disorders.
Depression is a mood disorder. Emotional states like sadness, ‘feeling blue’ or tearfulness are part of normal human experience. Clinical depression is called Major Depression and is characterised by the presence for at least two weeks of symptoms such as depressed mood, diminished interest and pleasure in most activities, change in appetite and weight (these can be increased or decreased) sleep disturbance, fatigue, bodily symptoms (headache, backache etc) poor concentration, feelings of anxiousness, worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, and suicidal ideation. Depression is a common disorder and about 10-20 % of the population in New Zealand will suffer from depression during their lifetime. Treatment Once depression has been diagnosed by your GP/Psychiatrist, it can be effectively treated by: Antidepressant medication Psychological interventions e.g. counselling (various types) and psychotherapy (talking therapy which is of various types).
Depression is a mood disorder. Emotional states like sadness, ‘feeling blue’ or tearfulness are part of normal human experience. Clinical depression is called Major Depression and is characterised by the presence for at least two weeks of symptoms such as depressed mood, diminished interest and pleasure in most activities, change in appetite and weight (these can be increased or decreased) sleep disturbance, fatigue, bodily symptoms (headache, backache etc) poor concentration, feelings of anxiousness, worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, and suicidal ideation. Depression is a common disorder and about 10-20 % of the population in New Zealand will suffer from depression during their lifetime. Treatment Once depression has been diagnosed by your GP/Psychiatrist, it can be effectively treated by: Antidepressant medication Psychological interventions e.g. counselling (various types) and psychotherapy (talking therapy which is of various types).
- Antidepressant medication
- Psychological interventions e.g. counselling (various types) and psychotherapy (talking therapy which is of various types).
We all feel some anxiety at some time or other. Anxiety may serve as an alerting signal, warning us of external /internal threats and consequently acting as a prompt to take appropriate action. When anxiety is very severe and present even when there is no threat of any kind, then it interferes with our functioning and can become an illness. In this circumstance, anxiety becomes a disorder characterised by an unpleasant emotion with feelings of fear, threat and impending danger and can be associated with numerous bodily symptoms like breathlessness, trembling, tightness in throat, dry mouth, racing heart and nausea/vomiting. There are varieties of anxiety disorders like panic attacks, phobias (unhealthy fear of something), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), social anxiety, post-traumatic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety can often be associated with a depressive episode. Anxiety disorders are very common and if unrecognised and untreated, can cause severe disability. Treatment Self help: learning techniques like relaxation, distraction and education Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Medication.
We all feel some anxiety at some time or other. Anxiety may serve as an alerting signal, warning us of external /internal threats and consequently acting as a prompt to take appropriate action. When anxiety is very severe and present even when there is no threat of any kind, then it interferes with our functioning and can become an illness. In this circumstance, anxiety becomes a disorder characterised by an unpleasant emotion with feelings of fear, threat and impending danger and can be associated with numerous bodily symptoms like breathlessness, trembling, tightness in throat, dry mouth, racing heart and nausea/vomiting. There are varieties of anxiety disorders like panic attacks, phobias (unhealthy fear of something), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), social anxiety, post-traumatic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety can often be associated with a depressive episode. Anxiety disorders are very common and if unrecognised and untreated, can cause severe disability. Treatment Self help: learning techniques like relaxation, distraction and education Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Medication.
- Self help: learning techniques like relaxation, distraction and education
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Medication.
This is a mood disorder in which both depressive (persistent low mood) and manic (elevated or high mood) episodes are experienced. It is usually a recurring (i.e. keeps coming back) disorder that can cause a lot of havoc in all aspects of a person’s life. People with this disorder will experience periods of extreme mood changes but also periods of stable mood during which they may be able to return to everyday routines. These changes of mood can be very extreme and occur for no apparent reason. Different people will experience this disorder in different ways; some may have few episodes, others many, and symptoms may vary from mild to severe. When severely depressed or elevated, a person can become ‘psychotic’ i.e. lose touch with reality. Treatment Usually by medication (antidepressants if depressed and mood stabilisers if depressed and manic) A combination of counselling and psychotherapy (‘talking therapy’) may hasten recovery Hospitalisation may be required for those who are very unwell and are posing a risk to themselves or to others.
This is a mood disorder in which both depressive (persistent low mood) and manic (elevated or high mood) episodes are experienced. It is usually a recurring (i.e. keeps coming back) disorder that can cause a lot of havoc in all aspects of a person’s life. People with this disorder will experience periods of extreme mood changes but also periods of stable mood during which they may be able to return to everyday routines. These changes of mood can be very extreme and occur for no apparent reason. Different people will experience this disorder in different ways; some may have few episodes, others many, and symptoms may vary from mild to severe. When severely depressed or elevated, a person can become ‘psychotic’ i.e. lose touch with reality. Treatment Usually by medication (antidepressants if depressed and mood stabilisers if depressed and manic) A combination of counselling and psychotherapy (‘talking therapy’) may hasten recovery Hospitalisation may be required for those who are very unwell and are posing a risk to themselves or to others.
- Usually by medication (antidepressants if depressed and mood stabilisers if depressed and manic)
- A combination of counselling and psychotherapy (‘talking therapy’) may hasten recovery
- Hospitalisation may be required for those who are very unwell and are posing a risk to themselves or to others.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about 1% of the general population. It is a complex illness characterised by ‘psychosis’, a word used to describe disorder of thoughts (e.g. delusions - false beliefs held in spite of evidence that they are not real), perceptions (e.g. hallucinations - seeing, hearing or feeling things which are not there), disorganised speech and grossly disorganised behaviour, which are not experienced by others and which are not seen as abnormal by the sufferer. These four symptoms are often referred to as the ‘Positive Symptoms’ of schizophrenia because they are the result of the disease process. The fifth group of symptoms: withdrawal, decreased ability to feel pleasure, lack of energy, and flat affect, are referred to as ‘Negative Symptoms’ because they represent a loss of normal functions. Schizophrenia affects different people in different ways. Some people may experience only a few short episodes and then fully recover. For others it lasts throughout their lives and needs to be treated like any other physical illness such as asthma or diabetes. It is important that schizophrenia is treated as soon as it is diagnosed by a psychiatrist to prevent long-term disability and loss of function. Treatment Schizophrenia may be treated using a number of different approaches: Use of antipsychotic medication Psychosocial education programs e.g. education, support, counselling and assistance to return to job/studies/performing daily tasks Ongoing support e.g. housing, monitoring of treatment, support groups.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about 1% of the general population. It is a complex illness characterised by ‘psychosis’, a word used to describe disorder of thoughts (e.g. delusions - false beliefs held in spite of evidence that they are not real), perceptions (e.g. hallucinations - seeing, hearing or feeling things which are not there), disorganised speech and grossly disorganised behaviour, which are not experienced by others and which are not seen as abnormal by the sufferer. These four symptoms are often referred to as the ‘Positive Symptoms’ of schizophrenia because they are the result of the disease process. The fifth group of symptoms: withdrawal, decreased ability to feel pleasure, lack of energy, and flat affect, are referred to as ‘Negative Symptoms’ because they represent a loss of normal functions. Schizophrenia affects different people in different ways. Some people may experience only a few short episodes and then fully recover. For others it lasts throughout their lives and needs to be treated like any other physical illness such as asthma or diabetes. It is important that schizophrenia is treated as soon as it is diagnosed by a psychiatrist to prevent long-term disability and loss of function. Treatment Schizophrenia may be treated using a number of different approaches: Use of antipsychotic medication Psychosocial education programs e.g. education, support, counselling and assistance to return to job/studies/performing daily tasks Ongoing support e.g. housing, monitoring of treatment, support groups.
- Use of antipsychotic medication
- Psychosocial education programs e.g. education, support, counselling and assistance to return to job/studies/performing daily tasks
- Ongoing support e.g. housing, monitoring of treatment, support groups.
Programmes
The following services are provided: Community Acute Service (24 hours, 7 days a week) - includes crisis assessment and acute home based treatment. Care and Recovery. Most clients receiving treatment will have their care coordinated by a key worker, who is a member of the multi-disciplinary care and recovery team. The key worker takes responsibility for coordinating the specific service each person needs. Clients are able to access a range of more specialist services via the Care and Recovery Teams, for example: CBT, DBT, dual diagnosis, family support, a range of therapeutic groups or individual interventions, access to the trans-cultural or Asian Mental Health Service. Early intervention (a multi-disciplinary intensive service for adults aged 18 - 30 who experience a first episode of psychosis). Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS): wrap around intensive services for clients with very high and complex needs. This multi-disciplinary team is based at Kāinga Tiaki Centre, providing services across the Te Toka Tumai Auckland area. Service Coordination: needs assessment and coordination to assist clients to access a range of community based support services, including mental health residential rehabilitation services.
The following services are provided: Community Acute Service (24 hours, 7 days a week) - includes crisis assessment and acute home based treatment. Care and Recovery. Most clients receiving treatment will have their care coordinated by a key worker, who is a member of the multi-disciplinary care and recovery team. The key worker takes responsibility for coordinating the specific service each person needs. Clients are able to access a range of more specialist services via the Care and Recovery Teams, for example: CBT, DBT, dual diagnosis, family support, a range of therapeutic groups or individual interventions, access to the trans-cultural or Asian Mental Health Service. Early intervention (a multi-disciplinary intensive service for adults aged 18 - 30 who experience a first episode of psychosis). Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS): wrap around intensive services for clients with very high and complex needs. This multi-disciplinary team is based at Kāinga Tiaki Centre, providing services across the Te Toka Tumai Auckland area. Service Coordination: needs assessment and coordination to assist clients to access a range of community based support services, including mental health residential rehabilitation services.
- Programme Areas
Mental health
- Programme Type
Non-acute specialist mental health community services
- Regions
Central Auckland
- Age Groups
Adult / Pakeke
- Referral Types
GP, DHB clinical services
Referral Process
You may be referred to a Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) by your GP if your symptoms are severe and you are having difficulties functioning in your everyday life.
Description
- Community Acute Service (24 hours, 7 days a week) - includes crisis assessment and acute home based treatment.
- Care and Recovery. Most clients receiving treatment will have their care coordinated by a key worker, who is a member of the multi-disciplinary care and recovery team. The key worker takes responsibility for coordinating the specific service each person needs. Clients are able to access a range of more specialist services via the Care and Recovery Teams, for example: CBT, DBT, dual diagnosis, family support, a range of therapeutic groups or individual interventions, access to the trans-cultural or Asian Mental Health Service.
- Early intervention (a multi-disciplinary intensive service for adults aged 18 - 30 who experience a first episode of psychosis).
- Assertive Community Outreach Service (ACOS): wrap around intensive services for clients with very high and complex needs. This multi-disciplinary team is based at Kāinga Tiaki Centre, providing services across the Te Toka Tumai Auckland area.
- Service Coordination: needs assessment and coordination to assist clients to access a range of community based support services, including mental health residential rehabilitation services.
Document Downloads
- Kāinga Tiaki Centre - Introducing our new home (PDF, 398.4 KB)
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CMHS Boundaries
(PDF, 478.1 KB)
An outline of areas covered by the Te Toka Tumai Auckland Community Mental Health Centres.
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Cornwall House-Taylor Centre Boundary
(PDF, 165.7 KB)
Please refer to the attached map for the new Cornwall House CMHC and Taylor Centre CMHC boundary (effective 1 April 2013)
- Maori Mental Health Services (PDF, 264.3 KB)
Website
Contact Details
Ihi Ora
Central Auckland
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Phone
0800 376 105 or (09) 376 1054
Email
Website
For urgent assistance after hours 7 days a week: 0800 800 717
"Closed public holidays"
50 Grafton Road
Grafton
Auckland
Auckland 1010
Street Address
50 Grafton Road
Grafton
Auckland
Auckland 1010
Postal Address
PO Box 37210
Parnell
Auckland 1052
Kāinga Tiaki Centre
Central Auckland
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Phone
0800 845 094 or (09) 845 0940
Email
Website
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This page was last updated at 4:01PM on October 22, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Community Mental Health Services - Adult | Auckland | Te Toka Tumai.