Climate crisis and Covid-19 at the heart of new Pacific mental health survey
A comprehensive study into the mental health challenges Pacific countries have faced with the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis is under way. The Pacific Mental Health Survey, co-led by Pacific health expert Sir Collin Tukuitonga , will focus on Tuvalu, Samoa and Tonga. Planning and interviews were already under way and the field work is due to begin in Samoa first, next year. He said for a long time, Pacific people have managed to deal with their wellbeing and mental health on their own, with the help of family, church or village. READ MORE: * Covid-19: Niue would struggle with Omicron outbreak, expert says * Covid-19: Tonga told virus 'is here to stay' as first of community cases recovers * Pacific vaccination rates pass 99 per cent across several regions However, for many years, those of us who work in health have recognised that we dont know well enough the extent and nature of mental health disorders around the region, he said. We are working to change that. Tukuitonga said there had been past attempts to understand the mental health burden in the Pacific, but these had been limited in scale and follow-ups, not tailored to the culture and lived experiences of the communities researched. Take someone who is hearing voices. In a traditional medical setting, if you say youre hearing voices in your head, the doctor will say you have schizophrenia. However, in many of the islands, hearing voices, particularly of your ancestors, is a well-recognised cultural phenomenon because its seen as quite normal to continue to live with those who have passed away. Thats an example of why getting cultural bearings on mental disorders is important. The research will be steered by Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland and Pacific partners, funded by the Polynesian Health Corridors programme, which was established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ministry of Health. The National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) will provide project management and data management support for the work. Project co-lead associate professor Judith McCool, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Waipapa Taumata Rau, said like the climate crisis, the recent Covid-19 pandemic showed the resilience and collective strength of Pacific Island regions. But these complex and rapidly evolving issues are expected to exacerbate mental health distress amongst Pacific Island communities, said McCool. The limited epidemiological evidence and anecdotes to date have suggested a rise in the rates of mental health distress, disorders and suicides in the region. Working closely with each Pacific countrys government and workforce, research would involve gathering evidence on mental health disorders, review existing policies and identifying workforce capacity needs. New Zealand project manager Nalei Taufa said ultimately, the goal was to develop country-led, sustainable responses to mental health disorders while growing local capability and capacity in the process. Nothing is really about Pacific people if its not created by Pacific people, Taufa said. This project will reflect that, from conceptualisation all the way through to dissemination. By carrying out toli or fieldwork in-country, it helps create safe spaces for people to talk about mental health, which can hopefully lead to normalising or initiating talanoa around mental health and its challenges. The project starts in Samoa, then expands to Tonga and Tuvalu. Tukuitonga said the plan is to complete the research within 12 months, but it could take longer if more participants are needed.