September 30, 2022
Māori dimension needed for mental health
The Health Ministry’s Māori deputy director general says Mental Health Week is a time to delve into traditional Māori views on wellbeing and how they can be applied today.
John Whaanga says oranga or wellbeing embraces multiple dimensions.
“Te taha wairua, te taha hinengaro, te taha whanau, all of those different dimensions contribute to well being and I think amongst other things in this week, it is about recognising the need for us to understand all the different dimensions of health that contribute to wellbeing or not,” he says.
Mr Whaanga says people with mental health problems often face the double challenge of dealing with not only the illness but the stigma that comes with it.