Discussion paper: mental health services in Northland

Abstract

This case study of mental health services in Northland has proved particularly formative in broadening our understanding of developing human capability in New Zealand organisations. It widens the meaning of developing human capability beyond the dominant interpretation of workplace skills to do the job, to include social arrangements which through work also expand people’s opportunities and positive freedom of choice to lead lives they value. The case highlights the strong influence of institutional or system wide arrangements in the mental health sector on the development of human capability. For example, a national mental health strategy has shifted focus to communities and has shaped mental health occupations; the health sector contracting environment and specifically contracts for mental health services which require investment in formal up-skilling of staff; a stair-cased industry training system which is able to capture those who have missed out on other educational experiences; through to the capability development power of the management culture of organisations expressed in balanced work teams sharing expertise and knowledge. However, while factors such as these provide the environment for capability development, they also contain constraints – many of which are discussed in this paper. In particular this case also illustrates the issues for Maori mental health workers in pursuit of defining and developing their capability.