Nōku Te Ao Symposium: Bringing Together Voices On Mental Distress, Stigma And Discrimination Under One Roof

On Wednesday 14 May, kaimahi from across policy, mental health and wider health services gathered at Te Mahurehure Marae in Point Chevalier, Tāmaki Makaurau to hear from lived experience advocates and communities on the current state of stigma and discrimination against mental distress in Aotearoa.

The kaikōrero and attendees reflected on the work and advocacy to date and where to from here. Many of the barriers New Zealanders once faced when reaching out for support while experiencing mental distress have been bent. But, these barriers have not yet been broken. Confronted by experiences and statistics, the Symposium made it clear that there is still more mahi to be done and it must be a collective effort.

Highlights

National Manager of Lived Experience Hauora Māori Service Directorate at Te Whatu Ora, Egan Bidois, addressed the impacts of internalised stigma of mental distress through sharing his own lived experiences and how this impacts the ability to reach out for help. He reminded the room of carers to not forget to reach out and accept care from others when they need it.

Award-winning journalist and Mental Health Advocate, Jehan Casinader, shared personal narratives that spotlighted how far New Zealand has come when addressing interpersonal stigma towards mental distress. He noted that a lot of work has been done and that awareness, especially amongst youth, has been raised.

Dr. Karlo Mila (MNZM), an award-winning poet, writer, activist, and researcher, delivered a powerful address on institutional stigma and the intersectionality of mental distress and cultural identity. Her kōrero underpinned the importance and power of indigenous perspectives of mental distress that look at distress holistically.

The workshop with Nōku te Ao education partners, Te Kete Pounamu, and the panel of Nōku te Ao Lived Experience Advisory rōpū reminded us that while systems can be slow to respond, community already holds many of the answers and healing often happens in the spaces outside diagnoses.

Where to next?

Nōku te Ao Social Movement Programme Manager, Astley Nathan, said the day was a timely reminder of the importance of connecting the many sectors who can make a difference in the lives of those with lived experiences of mental distress.

“For many of the attendees, they don’t often get the opportunity to meet with others to wānanga on the stigma and discrimination of mental distress in Aotearoa. They were grateful for the opportunity to be in one room together and to platform the lived experience voices to lead this kōrero, it is invaluable,” said Nathan.

“There is still much kōrero that can take place to continue to move Aotearoa forward. If we can all do it together in rooms like this across the motu, the community will be much better off.”

About Nōku te Ao

Nōku te Ao is a Health NZ nationwide social movement programme dedicated to creating a more inclusive Aotearoa for those with experience of mental distress.

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