Making access to the right mental health care easier
About Mental Health Pathfinder
At Mental Health Pathfinder, we recognize how challenging it can be to find timely, appropriate mental health support. That’s why we created a service specifically designed to guide you through the complexities of the mental health system, assisting you to find the right care at the right time.
As experienced mental health nurses, we offer practical information, education, clinical insights, and actionable next steps. Whether you need an assessment, triage, or ongoing coordination, we work to keep your care comprehensive and cohesive. We collaborate closely with GPs and, with your consent, can also liaise directly with employers or health insurers to streamline support.
Accessibility is key to our approach—no referral is required, and you can reach out whenever you need us. We’re here for whānau and workplaces too, offering guidance on how to effectively support someone they’re concerned about. Our expertise in mental health nursing and Mental Health First Aid education allows us to provide clear, compassionate advice that helps everyone involved move forward with confidence.
All our services comply with New Zealand’s teletriage standards and privacy legislation. You can trust our commitment to secure, respectful care as we help you understand your options and access the support you need.
We offer online consultations with an expert mental health nurse.
Our consultations are a cost-effective plug and play service, which you can access when needed.
We can provide personalised guidance, and comprehensive assessments with written reports that you can bring to a GP or use to engage other services. We can also speak with GP and providers directly to help ensure our advice translates into the right referrals. We can remain a point of contact should you need further assistance to access services. With us you are not alone, we will identify different pathways and pursue them with you.
We can support
Individuals
Personalised support for individuals seeking mental health advice and access to care
Whānau
Mental health first aid advice for supporting others, and with consent, whānau inclusion.
Employers
Support navigating sick leave, return to work plans and ongoing workplace accommodations
Healthcare providers
Supporting GPs with reports, data to inform triage. liaison services, and insights for patient care
Insurance companies
Assessments and assistance with health insurance claims
Trauma-informed approach
A trauma-informed mental health consultancy shifts away from a purely medical model that fixates on symptoms and diagnostic labels. Instead, it views individuals through a lens that acknowledges the potential impact of adverse life experiences. In a trauma-informed assessment, we don’t just catalog presenting issues—we’re attuned to signs of underlying trauma, even if we don’t delve deeply into unpacking it during the session. Our skill lies in recognizing its presence, validating its role, and offering clear guidance and education. We might point clients toward specialized trauma therapies like EMDR, Havening, or somatic stress release, empowering them with options for deeper healing while keeping our focus practical and supportive.
Nau mai! I’m David March.
RMHN BSc, Mental Health First Aid Instructor (Te Pou) - MHP Founder
I’m a registered mental health nurse with over 20 years of experience in Aotearoa's mental health system. I provide expert mental health guidance through online services, making support accessible to individuals, whānau, and organisations across the country.
I started Mental Health Pathfinder to address the challenges people face when navigating the complex mental health system.
With a trauma-informed and holistic approach, I offer practical, expert advice grounded in decades of frontline experience. My goal is to simplify the process, helping people connect with the right care and support when they need it most
Tailored Support When You Need It
Working with GPs
It’s not always easy to see the same GP, or to get enough time to talk things through. Yet GPs are central to your overall health and wellbeing, and regular check-ins with them are essential.
At MHP, we offer a complementary service that supports the care you receive through your GP. We provide timely appointments with no referral criteria, taking the time to fully understand what’s going on and offering a thorough mental health assessment with clear, actionable next steps. With your consent, we can share our assessments and updates directly with your GP or other professionals, helping ensure your mental health support is well-coordinated, responsive, and consistent while you find the right long-term path.
MHP in the Workplace
We also work with clients and their employers to support mental health in the workplace. Our role often involves bridging communication between clients, employers, and healthcare professionals. We’re experienced in collaborating with HR (People & Culture), Health & Safety teams, GPs, EAP providers, and Occupational Health services for a coordinated approach.
We Offer:
Expert Guidance on Workplace Accommodations – Tailored recommendations to support employees in a sustainable and effective way.
Return-to-Work Planning – Thoughtful, graduated plans that foster smooth transitions back to work, including part-time arrangements where needed.
Clear Communication – Helping maintain supportive, transparent dialogue during leave periods and throughout the return process.
Our clinical insights help shape recovery-focused, realistic, and practical outcomes—making the return-to-work journey smoother and more successful for everyone involved.
Concerned About Someone You Care About?
It’s often friends or whānau who first spot when someone might be struggling, sometimes before they realize it themselves. You may feel unsure how best to help, but you know you want to do something.
We’re here to provide confidential, judgment-free guidance. We can offer practical tips on what might help and, by listening to what you’re noticing, often get a sense of what’s really going on. We’ll talk you through support options and how to access them—without needing names or personal details.
If your loved one decides to connect with us, we can meet with them, figure out what they’re experiencing, and suggest next steps toward finding the right support.
Health Insurance Claims
Navigating what’s covered and how to access the right support can be confusing. We’re here to help make it clearer.
We’ll provide a thorough assessment, help identify the most suitable options, and guide you as you connect with services. If you’re making a claim, we can supply a professional summary to support it and—if needed—work with your insurer to keep things moving smoothly. This kind of support can speed up the process, helping you access the care you need without unnecessary delays.
Periodic or Intermittent Support
Wellbeing naturally fluctuates, and sometimes all it takes is a bit of timely, expert guidance to make a meaningful difference. We offer a practical alternative:
Immediate Access – No referral criteria, no waitlist—appointments often available within the same week.
Expert Advice – Clear, actionable mental health guidance, without requiring re-entry into formal services or strict eligibility criteria.
Coordinated Support – We can work alongside any existing services, enhancing your overall wellbeing.
While MHP doesn’t provide formal therapy or clinical treatment, we do offer reliable, timely, and practical mental health guidance whenever you need it.
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I am employed by Whakarongorau in a crisis assessment and triage capacity, providing nationwide support through Te Whatu Ora's crisis lines. My role involves responding directly to individuals experiencing mental health crises, as well as taking calls from whānau and other concerned individuals. In these interactions, I offer advice and guidance on navigating mental health systems and ensuring appropriate supports are identified and accessed. Additionally, I manage triage calls from Police and Ambulance services, collaborating closely with crisis teams across the motu. In this position, I conduct rapid mental health assessments and risk evaluations, providing essential direction and support to frontline responders such as Police and Ambulance personnel. My work involves urgent mental health triage in high-pressure situations to ensure care pathways are swiftly and effectively coordinated.
Although Mental Health Pathfinder does not provide crisis or emergency support, my experience in this role—alongside many years in similar positions managing acute mental health issues—has refined my assessment skills and equipped me to coordinate rapid and effective responses. I am trusted to handle complex, high-risk calls and have extensive knowledge of how to successfully navigate the New Zealand mental health system. You can feel assured that with me, you are in safe and capable hands.
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Mental Health Business Partner – Waikato Institute of Technology (2020 – 2022)
Positioned in HR/People and culture - I responded to any mental heath concerns in the workforce and guided staff to support and advised around sick leave, return to work plans and workplace accommodations. This is my forte - recognizing burnout and overwhelm - Workplace WOFS - Workplace & Occupational Fitness.
Designed and managed mental health assessment processes for students and staff, ensuring their needs were comprehensively identified and addressed through appropriate pathways.
Developed and implemented mental health policies, aligning them with institutional goals to create a supportive and proactive environment.
Delivered training workshops and presentations to staff and students, building capability in recognizing and managing mental health challenges and promoting available support services.
Played a pivotal role in managing critical incidents involving staff and students, offering expertise in crisis management, de-escalation, and post-incident support.
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My primary focus was advocating for strengthening the nursing process across the organization. I contributed to the development of a business case to rebuild Waikato DHB’s mental health unit, focusing on improving access to services, particularly for rural communities.
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Community Mental Health Nurse – Rural Pilot Project, Waikato DHB
Established a pioneering rural mental health service in Raglan, creating accessible points of care through GP clinics, community centers, and multidisciplinary team hubs.
Focused on early intervention and comprehensive consultations, enabling rapid access to mental health support in a region with limited services.
Built strong networks with community organizations, primary care providers, and local stakeholders to improve collaboration and streamline service delivery.
Played a key role in "Creating Our Futures" and "Closer to Home" projects, advocating for rural mental health initiatives and integrated care approaches.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team – Waikato DHB
Delivered intensive outpatient care for clients with severe and enduring mental health issues, often involving complex and high-risk cases.
Conducted comprehensive assessments, and treatment reviews to ensure tailored, effective care plans.
Actively engaged with clients and their whānau to build trust, foster collaboration, and promote rehabilitation, recovery, and community reintegration.
Provided crisis interventions to prevent hospitalizations, maintain housing stability, and reduce adverse outcomes for vulnerable clients.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Ward 34, Waikato DHB
Led significant inpatient service reconfiguration, developing policies for admission and discharge processes, patient safety, and AWOL management.
Strengthened multidisciplinary collaboration by redesigning team structures and workflows to enhance patient care quality and safety.
Championed the nursing process, focusing on comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment planning in partnership with clients and their whānau.
Conducted audits, reviewed performance indicators, and collaborated with the nursing directorate to implement the 2014 nursing process policy.
Home-Based Treatment Service – Waikato DHB
Delivered acute mental health care within clients’ homes, emphasizing early intervention, stabilization, and recovery-focused support.
Worked in partnership with Pathways support workers, mentoring and coordinating team efforts to maximize resource allocation and client outcomes.
Played a pivotal role in shaping the service during its inception, establishing protocols and workflows that ensured comprehensive, flexible care across urban and rural areas.
Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) – Waikato DHB
Specialized in dual diagnosis, providing detailed assessments and treatment planning for clients with co-existing mental health and substance use disorders.
Delivered consultation and liaison services to inpatient wards, community teams, and general hospital departments, offering expertise on substance use and its interplay with mental illness.
Built strong partnerships with multidisciplinary teams, enhancing their capacity to manage dual-diagnosis clients effectively.
Post grad in the assessment of addiction and co existing disorders and motivational interviewing techniques
CAHT/Triage
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Acute psychiatric inpatient - LSA/IPC Tauranga
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Assertive Outreach Team (Bristol, UK): Delivered intensive, integrated care for clients with severe and enduring mental health issues, focusing on community reintegration.
Acute Inpatient Ward (Bristol, UK): Managed shifts in a high-dependency unit, coordinating care for clients in acute distress.
Adolescent Mental Health Unit (Priory Hospital, Bristol): Supported young clients in a specialized setting, assisting with treatment planning and recovery.
Day Care Centre (Melbourne, Australia): Delivered daily care and activity support for individuals with learning difficulties, promoting inclusion and independence.
Detoxification Beds and Substance Use Services (Bristol, UK): Assisted clients in detox and recovery programs within an acute inpatient setting.
Elderly Dementia/Organic Disorders (Bristol, UK): Delivered assessment and care for clients with dementia, including behavior management and treatment planning.
Elderly MHSOP community MH
Stroke rehab wards
Althrop Elderly care TGA
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Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing – University of the West of England
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (Addiction and Co-Existing Disorders) – University of Otago
Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification – Te Pou, New Zealand
Work experience
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We provide mental health advice, helping people recognise and respond to pressing concerns, offering practical steps to manage challenges and access timely support.
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Brief assessments for those seeking quick guidance, we offer concise evaluations focused on identifying pressing mental health concerns.
Comprehensive assessments to understand clients' challenges, offering tailored recommendations for services, resources, and next steps.
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We specialise in assessments and guidance for individuals dealing with mental health and substance use challenges, navigating the complexities of dual diagnoses.
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Burnout often signals that someone is no longer just struggling but is becoming unwell, with common signs including depression and anxiety. It can affect your ability to manage everyday tasks, maintain relationships, and cope with stress. If you are experiencing prolonged exhaustion, emotional detachment, or a sense of overwhelm, it may be time to seek professional mental health support. We can provide expert advice and guide you towards the right resources to help manage and recover from burnout. We can liaise with employers/people and culture/GP's/EAP and give guidance, particularly regarding return to work accommodations.
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As a Telehealth service, we are available to support remote communities. We understand the unique challenges of accessing mental health care in these areas and are here to provide expert advice, help navigate services, and offer guidance tailored to your situation, no matter where you are.
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We explore alternative treatment options and refer clients to specialists such as trauma therapists, neurodiversity experts, and traditional healers
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Experienced in conducting assessments, managing risk, and finding pathways to appropriate services. Skilled in working with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless care coordination and tailored support pathways.
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At Mental Health Pathfinder, I bring expertise in supporting return-to-work processes, workplace accommodations, and managing mental health-related sick leave. I provide tailored advice to help individuals and employers navigate these challenges, ensuring a balance between employee wellbeing and organizational needs.
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I am available to assist with insurance claims, providing guidance to ensure claimants are connected to appropriate mental health support more efficiently. This is an area I am expanding into, with a focus on streamlining access to care and supporting both insurers and claimants in navigating the system effectively.