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Youth and Mental Health in Samoa: a Situational Analysis

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Youth and Mental Health in Samoa: a Situational Analysis Youth and Mental Health in Samoa: A Situational Analysis Commissioned by the FSPI Regional Health Funded by NZAID Programme O Le Siosiomaga Samoa Nurses Society Inc. Association Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International USP Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Hope, Eseta Faafeu Youth and mental health in Samoa : a situational analysis / Eseta Faafeu Hope and Matamua Iokapeta Enoka. – Suva, Fiji : Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International, 2009. 40 p. ; 30 cm. ISBN 978-982-9091-14-7 1. Youth—Mental health—Samoa 2. Youth—Samoa—Social conditions 3. Mental health – Samoa I. Enoka, Matamua Iokapeta II. Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International III. Title. RA790.7.S3H66 2009 362.2099614 © 2009 Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International, Suva, Fiji Islands Acknowledgments e sincerely acknowledge the contribu - groups that also emphasised the significance of tion of our stakeholders and partners in working effectively with youth. Samoa to progressing mental health To have had the opportunity to work directly concepts and making them easier for Samoan with young people was made possible by the initia - W tive of the O Le Siosiomaga Society through its youths to relate to. They have also played an im - portant role in highlighting the relevance of partnership work with FSPI, in particular Margaret Leniston and the Regional Health team. We greatly Samoan culture to maintaining mental health. appreciate the opportunity to have started this A big thank you must go to the school principals very important development programme for the who provided support and assistance during our youths of Samoa. No doubt this contribution will work with students. It is our hope that the stu - promote better life skills, new mindsets and dents who were trained as mental health advo - healthier lifestyles among young people. cates will help make a significant contribution to We express our appreciation to the Govern - the wellbeing of their peers. ment of Samoa, which through the Ministry of Our aim is to expand our advocacy work and Health, envisioned the need to establish our Men - awareness programmes to reach many schools so tal Health Act 2007 and Mental Health Policy 2006 , that more young people will develop as responsi - thus setting the scene for our work in mental ble citizens who can contribute to building a safer, health. stronger and healthier Samoa. Our commitment, as non-governmental organ - When we began this programme, we tried to isations, to advocacy, awareness, education, re - (1) see our contribution in terms of the big picture search and sustainable livelihoods through this in our local context, and (2) present Samoan val - Youth and Mental Health Project aims to comple - ues and practices in a conceptual framework of ment the hard work of the Mental Health Unit staff mental health that grassroot-level communities of the National Health Services. could relate to easily. Working out these primary We hope that through the combined efforts of issues took a great deal of discussion and deliber - all those committed to promoting mental health, ation and this was made easier by the commit - we will ensure greater physical and mental wellbe - ment and support of the community groups we ing for the youth of Samoa. worked with. We would especially like to acknowl - Finally, we gratefully acknowledge Mrs Kate edge the contributions of the church leaders, Watson-Horoi, the editing consultant, and Mr Ri - youth groups who worked with us and community cardo Morris, the communications consultant. 3 Youth and Mental Health in Samoa: A Situational Analysis Foreword by the Honourable Minister of Health, Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana Gidlow outh and Mental Health in better to start than with youths’ own experiences Samoa: A Situational Analysis is and perceptions of the culture they live in and the the result of collaboration be - values they hold? Our youth are a valuable re - tween the Samoa Nurses Association source and are extremely important for the future Y development of Samoa. (SNA), O Le Siosiomaga Society Inc (OLSSI) and the Foundation of the This situational analysis draws on existing Peoples of the South Pacific Interna - Samoan studies that highlight health, education tional. These organisations came together in and employment issues as they relate to youth and recognition of the fact that the mental health mental health. An important focus of this report is needs of our youth must first be identified and un - on promoting the conditions that are conducive derstood before they can be met. to mental health rather than only dealing with the The Youth and Mental Health (YMH) project issue once problems occur. supports the implementation of the Samoa Men - I must express our appreciation for the support tal Health Policy 2006 and the Samoa Mental Health received from the Foundation of the Peoples of Act 2007 . The policy has a vision “for all people in the South Pacific International, which enabled this Samoa to enjoy mental well being that is grounded situational analysis to be undertaken. My congrat - in the ‘ aiga ’ and nurtured through a multi-sectoral ulations also to the Samoa Nurses Association, approach that provides quality care that is acces - which co-ordinated this work and provided this re - sible to all people while recognising that mental, port. It is hoped that the collaborative efforts ini - physical, social and spiritual health is indivisible.” tiated by these organisations will continue. (Samoa Mental Health Policy , 2006) It is my privilege to introduce this ground-break - This report aims to shed light on those areas of ing work, which I trust will bring continuing bene - need and through its recommendations, to re - fits to the young people of our nation. spond in an effective and sustainable way and im - prove the health outlook for all young Samoans. The promotion of mental health is vital to the welfare of our youth and gives due recognition to the role of Samoan culture in supporting young people to lead happy and productive lives. Firstly, it is essential to measure the status of Gatoloaifaana Amataga Alesana Gidlow youth mental health in order to determine and de - Minister of Health, velop remedial measures where necessary. Where Samoa 4 Youth and Mental Health in Samoa: A Situational Analysis Message from the Executive Director of O Le Siosiomaga Society Inc. t is a pleasure to have been in - Samoa Nurses Association as our local implement - volved in this very useful Youth ing partner. Their practical experience in this area and Mental Health (YMH) project and their immense contribution to developing the for Samoa. The process and method - Samoa Mental Health Policy (2006) and the Mental I Health Act 2007 made them the agents of change ology used in the partnership be - tween FSPI, SNA and OLSSI in this project. Their focus on what works for demonstrated the strength of a col - Samoa, ensured anchorage on areas of traditional laborative approach in achieving a successful out - significance and cultural sensitivities. It will shape come. the outcome of our situational analysis report and The Prime Minister, in launching the project two serve as a basis to replicate its relevant experi - years ago, highlighted this aspect and was appre - ences in other areas of Samoa. ciative of the initiative taken by FSPI and OLSSI as We also recognise with appreciation the man - community organisations to secure funding and agement role of FSPI Regional Health team and help implement the Samoa Mental Health Policy the funding from NZAID that has helped us imple - (2006) and the Samoa Mental Health Act 2007 . ment this project. Their flexibility in allowing rele - In the wake of the tsunami that hit Samoa in vance to be the defining factor for the Samoa YMH September this year, the relevance of the Youth situational analysis. This has demonstrated FSPI’s and Mental Health Project was brought to the willingness to have local experts drive the activi - fore. The devastation caused by the natural disas - ties for an outcome that will be relevant to Samoa ter highlighted the fact that youth mental health and can bring about the implementation of the should be given a high priority in Samoa, with fu - components of the Samoa Mental Health Policy ture resources being committed to continuing its (2006) and the Mental Health Act 2007 . important work. So far, the project has made a On behalf of the President and members of the large contribution to helping people to deal with Board of Directors of OLSSI, I congratulate all the traumatic effects of the tsunami. those who have been directly and indirectly in - Those who received training and benefited volved in ensuring this report will deliver benefits from the Youth and Mental Health project in the for all Samoans. communities, schools, NGOs, civil society, and gov - ernment have been called upon to assist many peoples and communities to begin rebuilding their lives. I wish to commend the work of the two co-or - Fiu Mataese Elisara dinators, Eseta Faafeu Hope and Matamua Executive Director Iokapeta Enoka, for their work in representing the OLSSI 5 Youth and Mental Health in Samoa: A Situational Analysis Contents Acknowledgments.....................................................................................................................................3 Foreword by the Minister of Health.................................................................................................................4 Message from the Executive
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