Chief executive Geoff Annals said many people did not seek help for issues such as depression and anxiety, or had problems with their treatment plans.

“The Government announced significant mental health funding this year, yet access to specialists can still be very limited, with long wait times, and can also be very expensive.”
The insurer is launching Mental Health Navigator, in partnership with Best Doctors.

It is free for Accuro members to use alongside their specialist insurance cover, which includes a $500 benefit towards further consultations with New Zealand-registered psychologists and psychiatrists, should follow up be required.

The Mental Health Navigator is designed to provide fast, comprehensive and confidential access to a team of mental health professionals.

A call to the Mental Health Navigator number will be answered by a specialist mental health nurse and followed up within 10-14 days by a video call with specialist psychologists and psychiatrists.

This team can diagnose mental health conditions, develop a treatment plan, or act as a valuable second opinion. The mental health nurse then provides follow up support over the next six-to-12 months.

“Fast access to diagnosis and treatment is an important part of people getting better before they get worse, and with typical wait times of two to six months through the public system, we feel access within two weeks can make a dramatic difference to a person’s wellbeing,” Annals said.

“Mental Health Navigator is free, and people can access the service without having to leave their own home, an important detail for members who might be fearful of hospital appointments, or have trouble travelling to them.”