WELLINGTON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- As many as 12,000 people will get training over the next four years in a major boost for those seeking help for mental health and addiction issues, New Zealand Health Minister David Clark said on Tuesday.

Photo: VCG

Clark made the statement while visiting Le Va in Manukau, one of the first organizations to receive additional funding as part of the government's plan to rollout frontline services nationwide to support people with mild to moderate mental health and addiction needs.

"We're making a record investment in free mental health services so that people can get the support they need, when they need it," Clark said, adding to deliver that more trained community-based workers are needed.

"As a first step, we're using a four-pronged approach to strengthen our mental health workforce so they can help people tackle mental health and addiction problems early rather than waiting until those problems worsen," he said.

Mental health and addiction workforce initiatives include: more than tripling the number of people in community organizations; upskilling 350 nurses who will receive training to offer mental health and addiction assessments, advice and referrals where required, to people when they visit their general practitioners.

Other initiatives include starting new training programs for health coaches and health improvement practitioners. These new mental health workers will work alongside a primary health care team to provide mental health support and link up with community services and more specialized support.

"Right across the country there will many more people who can provide help and support to people in distress. That means more people will get the help they need earlier - and without having to wait," Clark said.