A woman who has spent much of her life in and out of Aotearoa's mental health system says it's broken beyond repair and a major overhaul is needed.
Laura*, 40, is diagnosed with PTSD, dissociative disorder, severe depression, borderline personality disorder and severe anxiety.
She told Newshub she first entered the mental health system at 15 and can count on one hand the number of times she's received adequate care.
"A lot of doctors and nurses at our public hospitals aren't trained or empathetic to those that have mental health issues, and only really take an interest when it is something severely medical like an overdose," she says.
Having spent time at Hillmorton Mental Hospital, Laura says the facilities there are "dire".
"The books are dated, the stuff is broken, rooms are either freezing cold or boiling hot. Art supplies and activities are nonexistent and other activities to help with distraction, are either broken, incomplete or not available."
And that's just if you can get in - the hospital is often full leaving vulnerable people like Laura to their own devices.
"Sometimes [you're sent to] respite, but they aren't always appropriate. Usually, you get sent home although you are at high risk of following through with ideations."
In 2020 a Ministry of Health report assessed 24 of the country's mental health units. Four were ranked very poor, 11 were poor, six were average and just three were ranked as "good".
Hillmorton's facilities were ranked as either poor or very poor.
Laura says the state of the hospital means it's challenging to try and heal.
"People need an environment where they feel at ease and comfortable and feel they are able to at least start the path to recovery," says Laura.
Greg Hamilton, the general manager of specialist mental health services for Canterbury District Health Board told Newshub he knows the "therapeutic environment" in some facilities at Hillmorton are "not ideal due to the age, design and size of some wards".
"Our staff are dedicated and creative in ensuring they provide our consumers with the best possible care and recovery, despite the limitations of our facilities. This includes the regular replacement of resources to support a range of therapeutic activities for our consumers."
New facilities are planned - but they won't be ready until late 2022, says Canterbury DHB's executive director of infrastructure Dr Rob Ojala.
"Construction of new facilities on the Hillmorton campus to provide a new home for the Seagar Clinic, Child and Youth Inpatient unit, Mothers and Babies and Eating Disorders Inpatient unit and Mothers and Babies and Eating Disorders Outpatients – began in January and work has progressed well in the first half of this year. Both facilities should be ready for patients in late 2022."
But Laura says it's not just the hospitals that need an overhaul - crisis lines like Lifeline, Safe to Talk and 1737 need more work too.
"I have had times where I have reached out, and although they are a 24-hour service, I have either got no reply, told there no staff until 7am, they finish at midnight."
She says the people taking calls can be "dismissive and even "ignore" those who are desperately seeking help.
A spokesperson for Lifeline Aotearoa told Newshub without Government funding it depends entirely on donations for its services.
"Lifeline Aotearoa can receive more than 10,000 calls a month. We strive to answer as many calls as possible and our average wait time is under four minutes," they said.
"During periods of high-demand on our call centre, a caller may not be able to speak to a counsellor immediately. We are aware that during these high-demand times people are waiting longer for support."
They said alternative options are offered if a caller isn't spoken to right away, such as calling 111 or being able to request a callback from a counsellor.
The spokesperson admitted Lifeline does not always get it right - but constructive feedback is welcomed.
"Our staff and volunteers are great people who do their very best to be there for anyone who calls."
But Laura says the whole system needs to change - and little token gestures are not good enough.
"Throwing 'awareness days' and the like are a short-term fix. It's all good to do this, but in the long run, this doesn't help what's at the root of the problem."
She says the solution is funding - and a lot of it.
"Upgrade existing facilities so they're more modern and bright where it brings an energy that makes people want to get better, add more facilities in the regions, fund more counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists - and pay them better!"
Unfortunately, the $1.9 billion budgeted two years ago for New Zealand's mental health services is moving sluggishly.
Of the allocated funds, $235 million was allocated for capital spending - building facilities.
The Ministry of Health told Newshub $233.8 million of that has been committed to projects. But according to a parliamentary question, it has only actually spent $541,000 of it - a shocking 0.2 percent.
It's created just five extra beds.
Health Minister Andrew Little says he is ordering a stocktake of spending after Newshub revealed the shocking spending in June - but unless something changes fast, people like Laura will be left wanting.
Newshub has contacted the Canterbury District Hospital, which operates Hillmorton Hospital, for comment.
*Laura's name has been changed to protect her identity.
