Robert Read suffered post natal depression after his son Slade's birth, in 2013. He now helps others through a Facebook page.

A man sent home from Christchurch Hospital during a suicidal episode is calling for improvements to its mental health response.

Robert Read said the emergency department doctor diagnosed him with postnatal depression, gave him a sedative, a prescription for anti-depressants and told him to come back in two months if things did not improve.

"I wasn't given any referral, follow up appointment or contact details. If it wasn't for my friend taking me back to his place for three nights, I would have gone home and killed myself," he said.

His call comes as pressure mounts for the Government to do more about mental health.

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On Wednesday, suicide prevention group Life Matters present a petition to a Parliamentary Health Select Committee calling for an inquiry into the mental health sector. The Public Service Association (PSA) released a survey showing one in 10 New Zealanders think the Government is doing enough about mental health. Several groups have called on the Government to spend more on mental health services.

Suicide is New Zealand's third cause of premature death, with over 500 people dying by suicide each year, according to Ministry of Health data. Of all suicides, almost 50 per cent are mental health service users.

Read's mental health worsened after he broke up with his partner and moved to his own place three months after his son's birth in 2013.

He was an assistant manager at a local fast-food chain. On paydays he bought four large pizzas and up to $400 worth of alcohol.

"That was my diet for the week."

He struggled to connect with his son, whom he saw once a week.

"I could feel myself slipping further and further."

One night in October 2013, he sat on his deck for five hours and contemplated killing himself.

One of his friends, worried Read was not answering texts or calls, came to check on him.

The friend took Read to the emergency department at Christchurch Hospital.

They waited three hours to see a doctor.

Read's friend had to hold him back multiple times as he tried to leave.

After he was sent home, Read later saw his GP and got a referral for five free counselling sessions.

A few months later, Read set up the Suicide Awareness/Prevention Facebook page, which has more than 5500 followers. He and a team of 11 people answer up to 30 messages a day from people seeking help.

Read believed social media had huge potential to prevent suicide. He wanted a similar page fully resourced, with trained professionals answering messages.

He said there were too many different helplines, which was confusing for people in distress.

"They're overwhelmed and end up not calling anybody."

PSA national secretary Erin Polaczuk said their survey showed the Government was not doing enough for mental health.

It was "totally negligent for the Government to continue denying there's a crisis", she said.

Canterbury DHB chief of psychiatry Peri Renison said mental health services were close to capacity, but staff prioritised urgent cases.

When people arrived at ED saying they felt suicidal, they were assessed by various staff including nurses, a mental health team crisis resolution team member and possibly a psychologist, she said.

If they believed the risk of the person self-harming was low, they discharged them for follow up "in a community setting".

If the risk was high, they came up with a different plan, which "may or may not" require hospital admission.

Ministry of Health deputy director of mental health Dr Ian Soosay said the Ministry of Health recognised the increasing use of social and digital media.

Some DHBs used moderated social media platforms, while the 2006 National Depression Initiative launched lowdown.co.nz for youth and depression.org.nz for adults.

"In recognition that many people in mental distress are more comfortable using online or social media, additional innovations are currently being worked on," he said.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman previously said mental health services needed improving, but the Government was focused on meeting increasing demand.

There would be more money allocated to mental health services in Thursday's Budget. Mental health services funding increased by about $300 million since 2008-09.







If you are concerned about a loved one who is talking about suicide there are a range of places people can seek help. This includes Canterbury DHB's Crisis team 0800 920 092 – calls are answered 24/7. Or go to the Emergency Department.

WHERE TO GET HELP:

- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 - Provides 24 hour telephone counselling

- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or free text 234 - Provides 24 hour telephone and text counselling services for young people

- Samaritans: 0800 726 666 - Provides 24 hour telephone counselling.

- Tautoko: 0508 828 865 - provides support, information and resources to people at risk of suicide, and their family, whanau and friends.

- Alcohol & Drug Helpline 0800 787 797

- Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (noon to 11pm)

- Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (4pm - 6pm weekdays)

If it is an emergency or you feel you or someone you know is at risk, please call 111.

For information about suicide prevention, see http://www.spinz.org.nz.