Support for Pasifika mental wellbeing in Aotearoa

Pasifika in Aotearoa New Zealand are expected to benefit from new mental health and addiction services announced by the government today.

The Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Health Aupito William Sio said Pacific communities would be better supported with the new services rolling out across the Auckland and Wellington regions.

Aupito said the new services funded through today's announcement included services the ministry had already expanded across Canterbury, Waitematā and the Waikato District Health Board (DHB) areas.

"One size does not fit all when it comes to supporting the mental wellbeing of our Pacific peoples. We need a by Pacific, for Pacific approach that appreciates the diversity of our Pacific communities."

Aupito said Pacific people are more likely to develop mental distress than the general population, but less likely to reach out for support.

He said it had been proven that culturally appropriate services support better mental health outcomes.

"With these new services across the Auckland, Counties Manukau, Hutt Valley and Capital and Coast DHB areas, people will have more access to services that they can feel confident will appreciate their Pacific languages, cultures and values."

Supporting our Pacific communities means more than simply having Pacific people delivering services at the frontline, Aupito said.

"Instead, new models of care are needed that reflect the values and philosophies of Pacific peoples. Effective services for Pacific peoples need to integrate the cultural values of respect, family, reciprocity, collectivism and spirituality."

The new services are expected to support more than 3,000 people a year, the minister said.

The contracts, worth a total of $6.6 million, are part of the government's $NZ455 million programme to increase access, and choice of, mental health and addiction services.

"While the services announced today are tailored for people with mild to moderate needs, I'm hopeful it will have a flow on effect by helping prevent needs from escalating and increasing awareness of mental wellbeing within the Pacific communities," Aupito said.

The services announced are being delivered through the Fonua Ola (Counties Manukau DHB); Vaka Tautua (Auckland DHB and Capital and Coast DHB); Pasifika Futures via The Fono (Counties Manukau DHB); Pacific Health Services (Hutt Valley DHB) and Naku Enei Tamariki Inc (Hutt Valley DHB).

Beginning of a 'brighter future'

Pasifika Futures chief executive Debbie Sorensen started as a psychiatric nurse 40 years ago.

She said she had witnessed key public health reforms around mental health for the community.

Sorensen said for the first time mental health was prioritised by the Ministry of Health and for the first time the voice of the Pacific was heard.

"It was a quiet voice, but it was a voice, nonetheless. And for the first time the tiny little coconut shoot started to grow."

But Sorensen said over the years since, there had been inaction and the voice of the Pacific was marginalised.

She welcomed today's announcement and commitment to offer more support for mental health services for the Pacific community.

Our vaka has arrived, she said. "We are delighted as part of the Whānau Ora commissioning agency, to be part of the collective effort to make this happen."

Sorensen said she supported Aupito's push to provide more funding in the future for mental health and addiction services for the Pacific community,

"It is fantastic that the ministry recognises that we are the best people placed to serve our communities, in our own way.

"Our communities are diverse, they have different needs and different ways of delivery.

"We are faith-based as we are family anchored and we understand what we need."

This is the beginning of a bright new future for us, Sorensen said.