1 research outputs found
Supporting Mental Health Recovery for MÄori Whaiora: The Success Stories of MÄori Whaiora and Non-MÄori Clinicians
MÄori people experiencing mental health issues have been historically under-served by mental health services. In the last three decades the development of Kaupapa MÄori health services has provided a culturally responsive option for MÄori. However, many MÄori are still using mainstream mental health services and there is a need to develop a greater understanding of effective cross-cultural practice within the broader service system.
This research, Supporting mental health recovery for MÄori whaiora: The success stories of MÄori whaiora and non-MÄori clinicians, sought stories of positive cross-cultural engagement in a mainstream service lacking in MÄori cultural resources. The hermeneutic methodology was informed by appreciative inquiry and brought a MÄori interpretive lens. The stories of 13 people (7 whaiora and 6 clinicians) who felt something good had happened in their cross-cultural work were analysed to uncover the phenomenon of the relationship. Aspects of MÄori and non-MÄori experience were drawn from the stories and further illuminated by MÄori cultural notions, relevant literature, and nuanced by the personal pre (and ever growing) understandings of the researcher.
Exploring positive stories provided an opportunity to shed light on the cross-cultural practices, marked first by difference, misunderstanding and tension which, the participants revealed, lead to trust, respect and collaborative working. Tension and success appeared to be two sides of the same coin within the cross-cultural exchanges. Maintaining distance, giving time, acknowledging gaps in knowledge, respectful listening and giving power to the other were shown to be important steps. The willingness to share and blend points of view lead to new ways of creating recovery pathways and upheld the mana (status) and expertise of the other.
Recommendations for practice and teaching include the importance of reflecting on oneâs own history and prejudices, learning to dwell with uncertainty and the discomfort caused by difference. Clinicians are encouraged to see and hear, beyond ethnicity, the human they are working with. Future researchers are challenged to resist fault-finding and problem-solving and instead pursue an understanding of positive encounters. Cross-cultural research can extend knowledge and enhance already existing positive cross-cultural health care engagements to benefit MÄori and other cultures in Aotearoa/New Zealand