September 06, 2016
Maori psychology book promotes hope
Hope is the message being promoted in a new book that aims to present a Maori perspective on psychology and mental illness.
Te Manu I Kai Te Matauranga: Indigenous Psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand was launched on Saturday at the New Zealand Psychological Society conference in Wellington.
Co-editor Dr Waikaremoana Waitoki set 18 Maori psychologists the challenge of writing about the archetypical character of Ripeka, a young woman facing mental health challenges.
They all brought their own perspectives and case studies to the project.
"There’s family violence, there's drug and alcohol issues, there's dying from cancer, to looking after our kaumatua, to sexual violence, but throughout the book it's very much a message of hope and strength. That's what I wanted from each author, to tell us how you would work with this person from a Maori world view with a message of hope," says Dr Waikaremoana Waitoki.
DR WAIKAREMOANA WAITOKI INTERVIEW
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