“Neneva, avouvou, ka’a ka’a.” These are some of the terms used towards and about Cook Islanders that experience mental illness.

In some cases, they are also used in a derogatory manner, as put downs and taunts.  

At Te Kainga O Pa Taunga’s mental health workshop held at Sinai Hall, attendees were eager to gain a deeper understanding of mental health and illness, to change these attitudes in the community.

They hope to become well equipped to respond to people experiencing mental distress and illness, and promoting mental health and wellbeing.  

Maru Mariri-Tepou, interim and incoming Consumer Commissioner at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said she wanted to learn how to better care for people who are struggling. 

“We are probably going through it (mental distress) every day but we don’t know because we don’t recognise the signs.”

Mariri-Tepou looks forward to implementing learnings from the workshop to take better care of her team.

“Our work colleagues are like our families, and we look after our families.”

Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health clinical psychologist Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong also attended the workshop with colleagues from the ministry.

She shared a frank discussion with the group: “Being healthy all the time is really difficult. Mental illness can happen to any of us.”

Referencing the 2020 Cook Islands mental health study by Dr Sam Manuela, Dr Wong said: “At any point in time one in four Cook Islanders will experience some form of mental distress.”

The workshop continues this week, ending on Friday.