Mental Health Services
Timaru Mental Health Services promotes mental health and well-being for the individual, family/whanau and the wider community.
We directly help the three percent of the population who, at any given time, are severely affected by mental illness or addiction.
See the dark blue menu on the left of this page for detailed information about the mental health services based at Timaru Hospital.
South Canterbury District Health Board also funds programmes in the community for people with mild to moderate mental illness, such as early intervention for mild to moderate depression. These programmes are available via your general practitioner. More information can be found here.
Since 2001, Timaru Mental Health Services (Timaru Hospital) have been delivering mental illness and addiction recovery services under the "Strengths Model of Practice", designed by Charles Rapp and Richard Goscha. This model of care works with the individual strengths and resiliencies of each individual, enabling them to use both their own and outside resources to help them with their recovery journey. We also provide support to other services in New Zealand, answering any enquiries about the Strengths Model and our training programmes.
Where are we based?
As shown on the Campus Map, all services (apart from CAMHS, Advocacy Services and the District Inspector) are based in the Kensington Centre just across Queen Street from the main hospital building. Car parking is available close to both sites. Advocacy Services are based at the rear of the Gardens Block, and the District Inspecter can be contacted via Kensington Reception.
Click here for information about our hours and how to contact us.
What services do we provide from Timaru Hospital?
Please see the menu on the left for more information about the following services.
- an acute inpatient unit providing 14 beds,
- the Triage, Assessment and Crisis Team (TACT)
- the Community Mental Health team
- the Mental Health of Older People team
- the Alcohol and Other Drug Service (A & ODS)
- the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- the Maori Mental Health Team
- Consumer and Family Advisors, Advocacy Services and the District Inspector.
Here is a helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions about access to mental health services from the Mental Health Commission website.