Ora’anga Mental Health Service Is Having a Positive Response in Auckland
Vaka Tautua Ora’anga community support worker, Longo Matangi, and Anna Naua.
Pacific peoples and their families in the Auckland Central area who are experiencing mental distress are getting the support they need, thanks to Vaka Tautua’s and the Pacific Consortium’s new mental health service.
Over 70 people have accessed Ora’anga, the organisations’ new mobile Pacific community service in its first six weeks of operation. Launched earlier this month by the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Hon. Aupito Sio, the service is focused on preventing long-term mental illness through early intervention and action. It is one of the first community outreach services for Pacific peoples experiencing mental distress in the country.
Ora’anga peer support worker, Marion Paoo, is overwhelmed by the response the service has had so far.
“We’ve only been going for a month or so, but from what we are seeing in our community, there is a clear need for Ora’anga within our Pacific families,” says Ms Paoo.
“Through talanoa (Pacific cultural dialogue), we’ve learnt what the issues are (that are causing peoples’ distress)… like financial, housing and relationship issues… and we’ve been able to give our community the support they need to help alleviate the distress they are feeling… and start them on their pathway to wellness.”
Ora’anga is delivered by qualified Pacific mental health workers, who draw on their mental health and cultural knowledge and skills to support individuals and families on their pathway to improved health and wellbeing. It involves individual and group sessions, tools and strategies for managing health and wellbeing and cultural support.
“Everyone gets distressed every now and then… Having a service like Ora’anga, to give our community the services, support and tools they need, and early, is great so they don’t become mentally unwell,” says Ms Paoo.
Expanding access to, and choice of, primary mental health and addictions services, is a flagship initiative for Government and the cornerstone of the Wellbeing Budget 2019. Early, and culturally appropriate services for Māori and Pacific peoples were key focus areas. Thirty-nine new Māori and Pacific services have been funded.
Ora’anga will initially run until 30 June 2022, at which time they will be reviewed and may be extended. Vaka Tautua is delivering the service in partnership with its Pacific Consortium partners, South Seas Healthcare Trust, Pacific Homecare and Penina Trust.
If you live in the Auckland Central area and want to talk to the Ora’anga team, please call OLA LELEI (0800 652 535).
Vaka Tautua is a national Pacific health and social services, provider. It delivers disability, mental health, older peoples, financial capability and social services in the greater Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury regions.
For all enquiries, please email: comms@vakatautua.co.nz