Pasifika peoples are negatively represented in a lot of statistics pertaining to mental health, what are your thoughts on this and what are some avenues going forward in addressing this? 

As a researcher, I often see our Pasifika peoples negatively represented in statistics, and whilst we are overrepresented in many mental health statistics, the statistics (or numbers) do not tell the whole story. The numbers do not tell us the reasons why we are overrepresented in mental health statistics or the solutions to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of our Pasifika communities. What we need moving forward are strength-based approaches to address mental health for our Pasifika peoples, approaches that recognise the importance of incorporating the needs, values, aspirations, and experiences of Pasifika peoples. If it were that simple, talanoa like this would not need to be prioritised. This is why strength-based approaches must also include building Pasifika representation – we are needed at all levels to influence how our voices are translated across areas that impact our mental health and wellbeing, such as policy development, service delivery, community initiatives, and research.  

What are some of the highlights for you from the 2023 PMA Conference in the discussions that took place around mental health?  

 The ultimate highlight was being surrounded by and engaging with Pasifika practitioners, community workers, and researchers (to name a few), passionate about enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of our Pasifika communities across Aotearoa and the Pacific region. A special highlight for me was being part of a session on mental health, where all speakers offered unique insights into many of the challenges we see in the mental health space for our Pasifika communities. Whilst significant work has been done to address these challenges, there is still a lot more to be done. Here are my key take-home messages from the session: 

• The importance of investing in mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan. However, given the youthful and growing nature of our Pasifika communities, a focus on our mothers and babies, children, and young people have the potential to have lifelong effects.   

• We need more Pasifika mental health support at varying levels – nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, community workers, researchers… the list goes on. 

• If we are limited in growing the capacity of our Pasifika mental health support people, there is opportunity to grow the capability of non-Pasifika support people to support our Pasifika communities. 

• By improving mental health literacy (our understandings and beliefs that shape recognition, knowledge, and attitudes around mental health), we can reduce stigma, increase mental health accessibility, support informal mental health avenues of support (such as family and friends), and inform the prevention and intervention space. Overall, this can lead to earlier recognition, more timely support, and more effective recovery and, therefore, a reduction in the social and economic costs of mental health challenges.  

What are your thoughts on the theme of this year's NZ Mental Health Awareness Week? (5 Days, 5 Ways, 2023 theme)? 

It is great! It provides practical ways to show EVERYONE how we can enhance the wellbeing of ourselves and others. It also connects with our shared Pacific values. We tend to turn to our family and friends for mental health support, and this is a great way to engage with them about mental health and wellbeing through talanoa, knowledge-building, and taking action – because PREVENTION is something WE CAN ALL DO TOGETHER – and this can empower us to do so 

For more information on NZ Mental Health Awareness Week, please refer to https://mhaw.nz/