Pacific peoples in Aotearoa experience higher psychological distress and depressive symptoms than non-Pacific and non-Māori, with higher distress among young Pacific peoples, and multi-ethnic Pacific peoples (Ataera-Minster & Trowland, 2018). Recently, a report from Te Hiringa Mahara (Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, 2024) emphasises that more needs to be done to improve the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of Pacific peoples. Whilst optimising Pacific mental health is a priority, doing so requires a clear and culturally informed understanding of the mental health beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviours of Pacific peoples. As well as the social-economic-political factors that influence the mental health experiences of Pacific peoples (Kapeli, 2022). During this panel, you will hear from Indigenous-Pacific-Psychology experts who will provide insight and evidence from their research and best practices as researchers and clinicians working in the space of mental health and wellbeing.

Three Key Learnings:
1. An understanding of the Pacific mental health landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand
2. How Pacific knowledges can inform culturally relevant, meaningful, and community-centred research approaches
3. How psychology and Pacific knowledges can be drawn upon to improve outcomes for Pacific peoples

Pacific peoples in Aotearoa experience higher psychological distress and depressive symptoms than non-Pacific and non-Māori, with higher distress among young Pacific peoples, and multi-ethnic Pacific peoples (Ataera-Minster & Trowland, 2018). Recently, a report from Te Hiringa Mahara (Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, 2024) emphasises that more needs to be done to improve the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of Pacific peoples. Whilst optimising Pacific mental health is a priority, doing so requires a clear and culturally informed understanding of the mental health beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviours of Pacific peoples. As well as the social-economic-political factors that influence the mental health experiences of Pacific peoples (Kapeli, 2022). During this panel, you will hear from Indigenous-Pacific-Psychology experts who will provide insight and evidence from their research and best practices as researchers and clinicians working in the space of mental health and wellbeing.

Three Key Learnings:
1. An understanding of the Pacific mental health landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand
2. How Pacific knowledges can inform culturally relevant, meaningful, and community-centred research approaches
3. How psychology and Pacific knowledges can be drawn upon to improve outcomes for Pacific peoples

Pacific peoples in Aotearoa experience higher psychological distress and depressive symptoms than non-Pacific and non-Māori, with higher distress among young Pacific peoples, and multi-ethnic Pacific peoples (Ataera-Minster & Trowland, 2018). Recently, a report from Te Hiringa Mahara (Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, 2024) emphasises that more needs to be done to improve the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of Pacific peoples. Whilst optimising Pacific mental health is a priority, doing so requires a clear and culturally informed understanding of the mental health beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviours of Pacific peoples. As well as the social-economic-political factors that influence the mental health experiences of Pacific peoples (Kapeli, 2022). During this panel, you will hear from Indigenous-Pacific-Psychology experts who will provide insight and evidence from their research and best practices as researchers and clinicians working in the space of mental health and wellbeing.

Three Key Learnings:
1. An understanding of the Pacific mental health landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand
2. How Pacific knowledges can inform culturally relevant, meaningful, and community-centred research approaches
3. How psychology and Pacific knowledges can be drawn upon to improve outcomes for Pacific peoples