Wellington, July 13 NZPA - Mental health issues have fallen off the government agenda and could "contribute enormously to the burden of disease" without appropriate policies and funding, the New Zealand Psychological Society says.

Over one third of adults seeing a primary health care professional were likely to have a mental health problem but new government health targets introduced this month did not address psychological issues, society president Jack Austin said.

Mental health problems often went undiagnosed, especially among Maori, Pacific and Asian population, and delayed treatment could lead to longer recovery periods, he said.

Patients with mental health issues were also more likely to seek help for multiple physical problems but less likely to follow through with treatment.

"Undiagnosed and untreated mental health problems contribute enormously to the burden of disease suffered by the community and to the costs of the health system."

Mr Austin said the Government needed to readdress mental health concerns by identifying targets and shaping policies and funding around them.

"Whilst mental illness may be less visible than some of the health issues targeted by the Government, the consequences for individuals and for the community are very real indeed and need a committed Government to address them," he said.

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