December 14, 2017
Maori demand voice in mental health regime
Maori health workforce development organisation Te Rau Matatini is backing a national group representing Maori who uses mental health services.
Chief executive Maria Baker says lived experience of mental health adds weight to calls for change.
She says Te Huarahi o te Kete Pounamu is calling for services to be more holistic and for them to strengthen cultural responsiveness and competency, including kaupapa Maori approaches.
There is also a need to improve whanau, family input and consultation.
"We tend to find western mental health services become individually focused and forget our whanau. For Maori that is not OK. We need to increase the recognition of Maori and their preferences and views of what they need to help them heal and support their recovery of any mental health challenges they may be experiencing," Ms Baker says.
Te Rau Matatini and Te Huarahi o te Kete Pounamu are concerned at the high rates of seclusion and restraint, particularly of Maori patients which represent gross human rights violations.
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