Health Pasifika MHS opens new offices 

Health Pasifika officially opened their newly renovated offices in the Community Health Services Building in Kenepuru yesterday, July 1. They were previously situated in Montrose. 

“Today’s a celebration for us all as these new offices will help to further strengthen the ties between providing strong cultural and strong clinical care in mental health,” said Capital & Coast’s Chief Operating Officer Shaun Drummond.  

Mental Health Services Executive Director (Operations) Nigel Fairley congratulated all the Health Pasifika staff for their patience, knowledge and hard work during the move. “This is not a new service for us, but it is a service we are very proud of in our Directorate. It has been a bit of a journey to get into this building but now we are here it is something we can all be proud of and today’s ceremony shows just how committed this DHB is to mental health services.”

After the upgraded premises were blessed by Reverend Falkland, the MP for Mana, Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, spoke of mental health as an especially important issue affecting Pacific Island people.  “Mental Health is something that affects us all as it does not exist in isolation. All of us and all our families are not immune to mental illness and the service offered here is all about hope,” said Winnie.

“We need to break down the barriers because while Pacific people have a higher representation in mental health, they are also less likely to seek help and part of that reason is the stigma attached to it. But we are here today to take away that stigma and be non-judgemental and celebrate Health Pasifika for the wonderful work it has done around raising awareness of mental health issues for Pacific Island people.” 

Porirua Deputy Mayor Litea Ah Hoi congratulated Health Pasifika for raising the issues around suicide and depression, especially in Porirua. “There used to be no mention of mental health issues in Pacific Island families and services like this help us all to stand up and accept help and as a councillor I wish this organisation well in every  endeavour it  makes to get this message across to Pacific and Maori families.”