“They’ll look after you in every way possible”: Purapura Whetu opens doors to whānau in need
A Canterbury kaupapa Māori organisation is expanding its reach in communities of need as more people turn to its services for mental health and wellbeing support.
According to a Youth19 study, positive wellbeing for Māori young people declined by eight percent between 2012 and 2019, while significant depressive symptoms increased by 14 percent.
When Purapura Whetu first opened its doors in 2002, Kaiwhakahaere Matua (Chief Executive) Karaitiana Tickell says they aspired to form “the best kaupapa Māori mental health services we could provide in communities.”
Since then, Purapura Whetu has expanded its service offerings to whānau, and staff are working hard to keep up with growing demand. Programmes now include raranga (weaving), uku (clay work), tamariki and mokopuna-specific services, counselling and traditional Māori health services - including rongoā, mirimiri and romiromi.
With support from South Island funder Rātā Foundation, Purapura Whetu has renovated a local community building in Christchurch to create a fit-for-purpose space to welcome whānau and deliver its programmes.
Alice Tickell is the Clinical Lead for Te Oriori, a programme for parents and caregivers of tamariki aged zero to twelve years, based in the renovated facility.
Te Oriori supports tamariki with their mental health and empowers adults to be the best parents and caregivers they can by equipping them with skills and strategies.
Alice says Rātā Foundation’s support with renovations provides whānau with a beautiful space, contributing to their belief in themselves and overall self-worth.
“This whole place is about healing in every way,” says Alice.
“Part of the belief is that what you are in, helps you heal as well, so that’s why we put a lot of emphasis on what things look like. We have tikanga in every space, and we talk about te taiao, which is our environment.”
Aroha Wetere is Team Leader of Te Oriori and says it is not always possible to meet the demand for their services. Still, they provide a safe and welcoming environment where whānau can feel they are “not alone” on their parenting journey.
“We do have quite a large number of whānau who come through our service, and we are a team of twelve,” says Aroha.
“We try our best to meet the need. At times, we’re not able to due to capacity, but our group space is always open for whānau to come into. If we’re not able to get them individual support straight away we can still invite them in to be a part of something and start making connections with whānau.”
Pearl is a client involved in most Te Oriori programmes and says Purapura Whetu is a family.
“Getting access to Purapura Whetu has been amazing,” says Pearl.
“I’ve found the sense of belonging to something, a family outside of my own family, and I’ve been taught how to love myself again. And now, I feel whole.”
Rātā Foundation provided funding for the Trust’s building project to support the development of a more accessible space.
“Staff and volunteers at Purapura Whetu are often on the front line of the response to mental health challenges in the community, and it is important they feel equipped to best serve whānau seeking assistance,” says Rātā Chief Executive Leighton Evans.
“Our funding helps to provide equitable access to facilities and services in areas of need, which means Purapura Whetu can welcome whānau into a fit-for-purpose space and deliver their programmes, ensuring people in need get the right support when they need it.”
Purapura Whetu staff say the mental health challenges facing young people are diverse, and barriers include lack of whānau support, long waitlists for help, religious and cultural barriers, access to transport for appointments, geographical isolation in rural areas, and the cost and availability of GP visits.
Staff say the support that is needed most is around basic needs (food, accommodation, healthcare, etc) and for young people to feel like they belong and are free from judgment. Tamariki require assistance identifying and managing their feelings, while parents need the tools to help manage emotions and to know they are not alone on their parenting journey.
Karaitiana adds that access to culturally supportive services would also make a difference to how young people engage with healthcare and access the right support when needed.
“Very few allied health professionals - counsellors, social workers, nurses, and psychologists, for example - speak enough Te Reo Māori to adequately engage with patients, and I am only aware of one counsellor in Canterbury who speaks Arabic,” says Karaitiana.
“When you add to that limited capability to provide service offerings to the Rainbow community, our young people are often forced to communicate in a monocular way through a predominantly Eurocentric health response.”
Despite ongoing pressure on staff and services, Purapura Whetu remains true to its values as a kaupapa Māori organisation, welcoming whānau and doing all they can to break down barriers for those needing support.
“It’s a family,” says Pearl. “They’ll care for you; they’ll look after you in every way possible, you know – physically, mentally, spiritually. It’s just who they are.”
For more information about Purapura Whetu, visit the website: www.pw.maori.nz