Abstract
Levy, M.P. (1997). Māori mental health needs in Huntly: an exploratory analysis.
The purpose of the present research was to investigate the mental health needs of Māori in Huntly, a small township within the rohe of Tainui, situated 32 kilometers north of Hamilton in New Zealand. The study aimed to: identify what the mental health needs of Māori in the Huntly area were; to determine whether current mental health services were meeting those needs; and to identify how the mental health needs of Māori could be met. Standardised open-ended interviews were conducted with 14 mental health service providers; three Māori mental health consumers; and three whanau members of Māori mental health consumers.
The essential findings of this study suggested that the mental health needs of Māori in Huntly were not being met. There was a need for services which had a focus on providing education and information to consumers and whanau, respite care, meaningful activity, substance abuse, counseling, supported accommodation, general support, early intervention and crisis intervention. It was considered important that mental health services were culturally appropriate, coordinated, accessible, sensitive, of a high quality and adequately funded.
The findings are discussed in relation to four key areas which have been highlighted in previous research. They are the systemic changes required if Māori mental health needs are to be addressed, the consequences of a western paradigm of mental health on the delivery and provision of mental health services for Māori, the fragmentation of mental health services and the provision of appropriate mental health services for Māori.
Future research directions are suggested and six recommendations are made with a view to addressing the mental health needs of Māori in Huntly. They involve interventions at a national, and community service provision level. |
Community Psychology