Waikato Hospital Launches Peer Support Specialists in ED to Boost Mental Health Care

In a significant stride towards strengthening mental health services across Aotearoa, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today officially launched the peer support specialist initiative at Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). This move marks the fifth major hospital to implement the transformative programme since its inception in September 2024, reinforcing a nationwide commitment to innovative, people-centered mental health support.

The peer support specialist model places trained individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges directly in hospital emergency departments, where they provide support, empathy, and practical guidance to individuals experiencing acute distress or mental health crises.

A Groundbreaking Approach in Mental Health Support

Minister Doocey emphasized the real-world impact of the initiative, which is already proving to be a powerful addition to the mental health landscape in New Zealand.

“We know that this service is making a real difference for people presenting in mental health distress or crisis at busy emergency departments,” said Doocey. “We are moving quickly to roll out this important service across the country, and it has been incredibly humbling to hear how it’s making a genuine impact for vulnerable Kiwis in a time of need.”

Peer support specialists offer more than just a listening ear. Their role involves connecting with individuals in crisis, offering reassurance through shared experience, and linking them to ongoing community-based mental health resources, thereby improving long-term outcomes.

Expanding National Reach and Recognition

The initiative began at Middlemore Hospital in September 2024 and has since expanded to Auckland City Hospital, Wellington Hospital, and Christchurch Hospital. With Waikato Hospital joining the programme, a further three emergency departments are also set to follow suit in the near future, signaling growing national support.

“Having someone in the ED who genuinely understands what someone is going through and can share their own story offers incredible emotional relief and a sense of hope,” Doocey explained. “Importantly, these specialists can guide patients toward the right services in the community—something that can be vital in times of crisis.”

A Strategic Move Amid Workforce Challenges

New Zealand continues to grapple with mental health workforce shortages—a challenge that has long impeded access to timely and effective mental health and addiction services. Minister Doocey acknowledged that while the government is working to scale up the clinical workforce, alternative and innovative solutions are crucial to bridging existing service gaps.

“The peer support workforce has been underutilised for too long in New Zealand,” he noted. “We’re not only rolling this out in EDs but also looking at how peer specialists can play a critical role in new initiatives like Crisis Cafes and as we refresh the eating disorders strategy.”

Looking Ahead

The growing integration of peer support specialists into New Zealand’s mental health framework reflects a broader shift toward holistic and inclusive care models—where lived experience is valued as a cornerstone of support and recovery.

As more hospitals prepare to join the initiative, the government’s commitment to scaling up peer-led mental health services offers renewed hope for more compassionate, timely, and effective care for individuals facing mental health crises.