For the Pacific community, family is the key to helping those struggling with depression and mental illness, says a leading Samoan psychologist.
Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) member, Dr Byron Seiuli, who has been recognised for his work supporting Pacific men facing mental trauma, says Pacific families need to focus on their strengths and traditions to overcome mental unwellness and that a collective responsibility approach has always been effective for us.
“For Pacific people, we have always had our ways of dealing with unwellness together, whether it’s in the context of our immediate families or within our wider community.
The modern way of looking at mental illness is focused on dealing with the pressures of life, the stress, the things that cause us to isolate ourselves and become depressed.
For us, it’s about having a balanced life, spending time with our family and community, enjoying what we love to do, like playing sports, and just being aware of our overall mental wellness.”
This week has been Mental Health Awareness Week and Dr Seiuli says this time of year is a good reminder for Pacific families to check up on each other, especially during the Covid-19 crisis. Physical restrictions at funerals is an example of when Covid-19 has amplified an already traumatic time for families, so it is important that family members and friends stay connected.
“Grief is never an isolated situation for Pasifika people. We have our cultural protocols; we have our families and we are often relying on each other for support. Spirituality is also important to us and our strong faith binds us as a collective. So, we have many pathways to guide us through times of personal crisis.”
#pmafamily
Date: Saturday 26 September 2020