Labour has called for the Government to “pause” and review funding for mental health programme Gumboot Friday after comments by its leading ambassador Mike King about alcohol and mental health.
King first made the comments about alcohol and mental wellbeing on Newstalk ZB yesterday.
“Alcohol is not a problem for people with mental health issues. It’s actually the solution to our problem,” he said.
King later said: “I would suggest to you that alcohol has prevented more young people from taking their own lives than it actually takes their own lives.
“I’m a drug addict, an alcoholic; my whole life, I’ve used drugs and alcohol to stop that little voice inside my head that told me that I wasn’t good enough, that I was useless.”
King described alcohol as being like a “life jacket” and “methadone” for some.
In keeping with pre-election commitments, the Government ploughed an additional $24 million over four years for King’s I Am Hope charity, which runs the programme.
Govt highlights support provided by King’s charity
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said he disagreed with King’s comments, but suggested he would not support any suspension on funding the charity. “My interest remains with the additional 15,000 young New Zealanders a year who are able to access free mental health support due to the funding that has been provided,” Doocey said, in a statement.
“The funding that has been provided to contract the I Am Hope Foundation will allow young people aged between 5-25 to have access to free mental health counselling.”
Doocey said: “I have a lot of respect for Mike King and the work he has done for young New Zealanders but, on this occasion, I disagree with the comments he has made regarding alcohol use being a solution to mental health.
“Excess alcohol consumption can cause a lot of harm in our communities, that is why this Government is taking alcohol harm seriously, which is evident by, for the first time in 15 years, the Government recently raised the alcohol levy.
“Alcohol does affect the part of your brain that controls inhibition, so people may feel relaxed, less anxious, and more confident after a drink.
“But these effects do quickly wear off.”
Labour calls for pause after ‘unacceptable comments’
Labour’s mental health spokesperson called for the Government to hit pause on its support, saying there needed to be a “review on the matter”.
The opposition has previously criticised the coalition for pushing ahead with funding for King’s charity, despite concerns from officials about the procurement process.
Labour MP Ingrid Leary said the Government “should review its support” for Gumboot Friday after King’s “unacceptable comments”.
“Do young people have to be hurt before Matt Doocey realises he made the wrong decision to bypass the usual process and fund Gumboot Friday?” she said in a statement.
“The comments made by Mike King promoting alcohol use to treat mental health issues are a sad indictment of the Government’s poor funding decision relating to Gumboot Friday.
“The comments are deeply problematic and fly in the face of well-established body of literature that links alcohol use both directly and indirectly with mental ill health, including with suicide risk.
“To continue to fund Gumboot Friday sends a message to young people that alcohol use is a recognised treatment for mental health issues.”
She said it would be “galling” for other mental health charities to hear King’s comments.
1News has approached King for comment, but in a statement on Facebook he wrote: “Drugs and alcohol are not a cure for mental illness. By the same token they are not the cause of mental health issues.”
