Cherish the Va & Strengthen Pacific Well Being Dr Monique Niumata Faleafa, September 2009 SPINZ National Symposium: Culture & Suicide Prevention in Aotearoa

The NZ Mental Health Study: Te Rau Hinengaro  largest mental health study ever undertaken in NZ. n = 2,374

High Rates of Mental Disorder pacific people carry a higher burden of mental disorder than New Zealanders in general

Higher rates of hazardous alcohol abuse

Our Young People are bearing the burden Cumulative lifetime risk by disorder

Our Young People are bearing the burden  NZ born Pacific had a significantly higher 12 month prevalence of mental disorder, than those born in the islands who migrated to New Zealand over the age of 18

Low rates of access 12-month access rate

Higher rates of suicide ideation and attempts General Population Pacific Population Lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation 15.7%16.9% Lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts 4.5%4.8% 12-month prevalence of suicide attempts 0.4%1.2%

 Suicidality is high  High prevalence, low access  Demand for a clinically and culturally competent workforce  Grow the workforce of today for the challenges we face tomorrow The bubble is coming…

Le Va – the space that relates Vibrant Leadership & well Pacific families Creating space for mental well being

western worldviews – western knowledge systems, epistemology, theoretical underpinnings, cultural paradigms, pedagogy pacific worldviews – indigenous knowledge systems, epistemology, theoretical underpinnings, cultural paradigms, pedagogy community and context organisation practitioner family person therapeutic relationship negotiated space vava

Culture in Leadership – Le Tautua Emerging Leaders

Matutaki – engaging young people  A long-term recruitment strategy that engages young Pacific people to consider a career in mental health

“Our Va with others defines us. We can only be ourselves linked to everyone and everything else in the va, the unity that is all and now.” Albert Wendt