December 05, 2018
Māori can’t wait for suicide action
MICHAEL NAERA INTEVLIEW CLICK HERE
https://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=NzE3MjA=
The leader of a Māori suicide prevention project says his roopu is shocked at the way Māori submissions were ignored in the writing of the report for the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction.
Michael Naera from Kia Piki te Ora says the inquiry panel heard from bereaved families about the need for Māori-centric initiatives so whānau did not feel discriminated against or misunderstood when they sought help.
But when it came time for officials to write the report, those voices were left out, and the recommendations seem to take a one-size fits all approach implemented over the next 10 years.
"We can't wait for 10 years until they erect a mental health commission, erect a ministry for Māori health. There are too many lives lost. Unfortunately it is our whānau losing their lives to suicide. That is not ok, and the recommendations needed to reflect our needs and our wants," Mr Naera says.
Māori are only mentioned in three of the 40 recommendations.
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