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Pacific Island Approach to
Mental Health
Pacific people take a holistic approach to mental health.
Our mental wellbeing is usually affected when other
parts of our lives are also not going too well. For
example, when our physical and spiritual wellbeing is
not right, then our mental and emotional wellbeing will
also be affected.
We believe some of our greater strengths, as Pacific
Island people are our culture and spirituality. These
strengths are nurtured through family, community and
church. The importance of the family, community and
church to us as Pacific Island people means that these
'institutions' hold the answers when our mental wellbeing
is affected in some way.
Family, school, and relationship issues can complicate
a young Pacific Island person's life. Sometime it is
difficult to talk about these issues even with your
own family/aiga/famili/whanau and other significant
people in your life. We see our role as trying to smooth
the way so young people can have coping skills to deal
with these issues, ensuring their cultural, physical
and emotional safety.
Many health services employ cultural advisors whose
role it is to advise clinicians and other professionals
on how Pacific Island clients can be given help that
is culturally and spiritually appropriate. Assistance
is also given in a language and in an environment that
is culturally acceptable and non-threatening.
http://webdirectory.natlib.govt.nz/index.htm
For more information relating to being young and a pacific
islander in New Zealand check out www.pacificlinks.org.nz.
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