New wellbeing resources from Le Va; government work to support Pacific families


Wed 30 Oct 2019

Le Va has published new resources to address wellbeing when working with Pasifika families.

Le Va has published new resources to address wellbeing when working with Pasifika families. This includes a learning on module on trauma-informed approaches and fact sheets on depression and anxiety.

Le Va's learning module Shifting from trauma-informed care to healing-centred engagement is designed to raise awareness about the effects of trauma and what a trauma-informed approach is. The module has a specific focus on a healing-centred approach when working with Pasifika people and families. Le Va says:

"Trauma-informed approaches focus on recognising and validating the trauma experiences of people and their potential to heal despite these experiences. Culture plays an integral role in how we respond to trauma, healing and support."

The module is a 9-minute video. This module complements Le Va's work with other national centres outlined in their booklet Weaving together knowledge for wellbeing: Trauma informed approaches (2019).

Le Va has also published fact sheets available in different languages on depression and anxiety. For more information and resources related to mental health from Le Va, see their Mental Wealth website.

Updates on government agencies' work to better support Pacific families

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has been working to develop a Pacific Strategy and Action Plan. This has involved consultation with MSD staff and the wider public. MSD has now published Pacific Prosperity – Our People, Our Solutions, Our Future (2019). It is available in English and eight Pacific languages. For more information, see the summaries of the talanoa sessions.

Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children has developed an interactive mobile app, called Talanoa Mai. The app is designed to support Oranga Tamariki staff when working with Pacific children, young people and their families. Culturally specific information is provided for Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Tokelau and Tuvalu. The features of the app include maps, common greetings and phrases, prayers and songs, proverbs, details of ceremonies, and support with pronouncing and learning vowels and consonants. The app also includes Va’aifetu, the Oranga Tamariki Pacific Strategy and Cultural Framework. Talanoa Mai can be downloaded for free in the Apple and Google Play stores.

The Ministry of Health has recently held talanoa around the country as part of the work to develop a new Pacific Health Action Plan.

Related news

Pasefika Proud launched the Tuvalu Family Violence Prevention Plan “Te Olaga Ola Filemu – A Life Embraced with Peace and Wellbeing” earlier in 2019.

Related media

Study reveals justice needs and satisfaction in Fiji, Press Release: UNDP, Scoop, 19.10.2019

Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls launched in Kiribati, Press Release: Pacific Community - SPC, Scoop, 25.06.2019

Image: Wow Phochiangrak from Pixabay

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