A clinical audit has shown that presentation patterns to a South Auckland acute mental health service changed during New Zealand’s first level 4 lockdown for COVID-19, and patients faced a unique set of stressors. A sample of patients presenting during the lockdown period was compared with a sample of patients presenting during 2019. Factors analysed included demographics, living situation, mode of referral, mode of assessment, diagnosis, substance use, risks, stressors, use of mental health act legislation and follow-up. Over the lockdown period, fewer Māori were assessed at the acute mental health service, police referrals increased, specific stressors related to confinement were identified and there was an increase in risks relating to self-harm and harm to others. To respond to the changing needs of patients during a pandemic, the study authors recommended optimising telehealth, enhancing connections with other essential services, developing digital interventions and providing care for frontline staff.
