Experts urge for a tikanga Māori approach to mental health in construction

Leaders in mental health believe a tikanga Māori framework is the key to bringing positive outcomes in sectors like construction, where suicide overwhelmingly effects Māori.

Mark Wilson is the communications team leader at The Mental Health Foundation, and he believes there is real benefit for the tikanga framework in construction.

The Te Whare Tapa Whā framework is a guide that covers spiritual, emotional, physical, and social connection - where all four aspects must be nurtured for positive mental health.

“Te Whare Tapa Whā is beautifully crafted and simple. Things can get out of hand, people bring their issues from outside of work, so this framework can be used as a guiding star.

Between July 2007 and June 2019 583 people were lost from suicide in construction - 21.3 per cent were Māori, exceeding the 16 percent of Māori that were lost in other occupations.

Wilson says that construction companies need to particularly focus on supporting rangatahi (youth) with their life challenges, and the framework will mean that they are equipped to do so.

“Life can hit you hard.

"Hopefully, if you have all the tools in the framework, you will be protected from difficulties.”

Wilson believes the Te Whare Tapa Whā can apply to all people in different occupations.

“Within the roots of the Te Whare Tapa Whā framework, there is a Māori design that can cross over to everyone - Māori made it for all New Zealanders."

Dr. Lauren Donnan is the Research Innovation Manager at MATES in Construction NZ, a workplace suicide prevention programme.

Donnan says it will be the youngest workers who will benefit from the Te Whare Tapa Whā framework the most.

“It's our rangatahi who need much more support to enter the workforce prepared.”

Sale Leilua is a field officer and team leader at MATES NZ, and feels the topic is swept under the rug - especially by Māori and Pasifika.

"Regarding culture, the topic itself is taboo for Māori. We need to notice our vulnerable groups and touch on the Te Whare Tapa Whā framework.”

Leilua says that the field officers cannot be across all work sites at once and says it is important to equip workers with the skills needed to notice if someone is struggling, so that they help with providing support.

Government funding for suicide prevention is something Donnan, Leilua and Wilson all agree on.

"Funding is just one of the things that need to happen - but if we all had our lives in balance, we would find that the suicide rate would fall substantially,” says Wilson.