E fofō ele alamea le alamea. The Starfish Heals & Mends Itself. Samoan Mental Heath
Tracks
Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 2:05 PM - 2:25 PM |
Overview
Dr Ta'avale Ioana Mulipola, Auckland University of Technology
Presenter
Dr Ta'avale Ioana Mulipola
Rn/lecturer
Aut
E fofō ele alamea le alamea. The starfish heals & mends itself. Samoan mental heath.
Presentation Overview
In this presentation, I will explain/discuss how I started the conversation about mental health (MH) using the Gagana Samoa (Samoan language) in my community in NZ.
In 2023, I completed a doctorate study in exploring Samoan consumers experience of the person-centred care approach in MH services (Mulipola et al, 2022). One key finding of my study showed language as a key barrier Samoan participants identified with their engagement with mental health services. My research findings together with my observation in practice, have inspired my interest to develop a community initiative called the Faugagana Practice that started the podcast to start the conversation about MH in the Gagana Samoa. The Faugagana Podcast has 29 episodes between Season 1 and Season 2 and was first launched in July 2024.
This is the first nurse led MH initiative using the Samoan language for our community in New Zealand addressing the gap between the Samoan worldview of MH and western understanding. Samoan MH professionals and community members contributed to different episodes of the Faugagana Podcast. The aim is to address stigma and strengthening cultural pathways to mental wellbeing (MW) and healing for Samoans.
As the Samoan saying ‘e fofō ele alamea le alamea’ meaning the alamea (starfish) heals and mends itself. Highlighting the answers to MW and quality of life are found from within our own community.
To date the Faugagana Podcast has received over 2500 downloads from 215 cities and 47 countries. A summary in the English language for each episode in Season 2 is available for people who do not understand Gagana Samoa.
The Faugagana Practice's vision is to continue talanoa (conversation) about MH. And to raise awareness not only for our community but also to strengthen MH services understanding of cultural appropriate ways to engage and care to Samoan/Pacific MH consumers.
Three Key Learnings
1. Cultural awareness and knowledge in mental health care are core in understanding the mental health needs of Samoan/Pacific people.
2. Language is key to achieving equitable care for Indigenous and migrant mental health consumers; language support should be available and accessible at all stages of care.
3. Culturally appropriate care is a 'right' for all consumers and essential to prevent harm.
In 2023, I completed a doctorate study in exploring Samoan consumers experience of the person-centred care approach in MH services (Mulipola et al, 2022). One key finding of my study showed language as a key barrier Samoan participants identified with their engagement with mental health services. My research findings together with my observation in practice, have inspired my interest to develop a community initiative called the Faugagana Practice that started the podcast to start the conversation about MH in the Gagana Samoa. The Faugagana Podcast has 29 episodes between Season 1 and Season 2 and was first launched in July 2024.
This is the first nurse led MH initiative using the Samoan language for our community in New Zealand addressing the gap between the Samoan worldview of MH and western understanding. Samoan MH professionals and community members contributed to different episodes of the Faugagana Podcast. The aim is to address stigma and strengthening cultural pathways to mental wellbeing (MW) and healing for Samoans.
As the Samoan saying ‘e fofō ele alamea le alamea’ meaning the alamea (starfish) heals and mends itself. Highlighting the answers to MW and quality of life are found from within our own community.
To date the Faugagana Podcast has received over 2500 downloads from 215 cities and 47 countries. A summary in the English language for each episode in Season 2 is available for people who do not understand Gagana Samoa.
The Faugagana Practice's vision is to continue talanoa (conversation) about MH. And to raise awareness not only for our community but also to strengthen MH services understanding of cultural appropriate ways to engage and care to Samoan/Pacific MH consumers.
Three Key Learnings
1. Cultural awareness and knowledge in mental health care are core in understanding the mental health needs of Samoan/Pacific people.
2. Language is key to achieving equitable care for Indigenous and migrant mental health consumers; language support should be available and accessible at all stages of care.
3. Culturally appropriate care is a 'right' for all consumers and essential to prevent harm.
Biography
Talofa lava, I am Ta’avale Ioana Mulipola. I migrated to New Zealand with my family and started my nursing training. I worked in mental health in the areas of adult community services, intensive complex care, primary care, and Pacific mental health services. My fluency in the Samoan language and cultural expertise has allowed me to make a unique contribution to mental health care for Samoan people in the New Zealand health care system. My research focus is on the core importance of Samoan language and culture for holistic health and mental wellbeing.
