Māori mental health (hinengaro) and peer support

A pandemic affects everyone in ways that go far beyond health. The negative impacts on Māori include financial hardship, social and cultural disconnection, loss or reduced hours in employment and an increase of welfare support.

Some good things have come out of the pandemic as well though. These include stronger whānau relationships and many successful responses to COVID that are a natural expression of kotahitanga (unity). Support within Māori communities has been amazing. Food packages and other supplies have been delivered to vulnerable people and health information and care has been available in different ways because of the need to socially distance.  


Image credit: Canva

Māori have been particularly affected by COVID restrictions because relationships and the sense of interconnectedness with others and with the environment are so important and highly valued. It's no surprise that COVID hit the whānau unit hard, particularly early on in the pandemic.

You may have found lockdown hard because you felt cut off from your whānau or perhaps being locked down with members of your whānau added to stress in your relationships. Maybe spending more time together has made your whānau relationships stronger – everyone has experienced it differently. 

The important thing is to know when you need help with lifting your spirits and to know that you are not alone in feeling out of balance due to COVID. If you are struggling with feeling down, or just need somebody to talk to, there are supports and services you can call on. If you're concerned about somebody else you can ask for help for them as well. 

If you're not sure how to help friends or whānau who aren't coping, this video(external link)(external link) gives you some ideas for simple ways to help.

• 0800 What’s Up(external link)(external link) is a free service for tamariki and rangatahi to talk to or webchat with a trained counsellor
• SKIP(external link)(external link) provides information and resources to support whānau and caregivers – especially for tamariki under 5 years old. Check them out on Facebook(external link)(external link) 
• 1737(external link)(external link) is a free helpline to call or text if you are feeling down, anxious, or just need to chat to someone. It’s available 24/7.
• Call Women’s Refuge(external link)(external link) for advice, support and safe accommodation when you’re dealing with violence in your life. 0800 733 843
• Call Safe to Talk(external link)(external link) if you are worried about your behaviour and those close to you feel frightened of you. You can reach out and ask for help. 0800 044 334