The Pro Vice-Chancellor for the faculty of Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland-Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau was on the island last week to present key findings from her research project on the link of Climate Change and Mental well being.
The Research Project focused on three countries of Niue, Cook Islands and New Zealand.
One of the key objectives was to explore the links between climate change, mental health and well being, and the impact of climate change upon overall health outcomes for Pacific peoples.
When it comes to key findings for Niue, the Indigenous connection to land meant that the impacts of climate change can be experienced as losing kin through grief and mourning and mental Mental distress can be due to an anticipation of future impacts of climate change
Overall the Mental Health sector across the Pacific region needs improvement and more investment and it’s important that the people are included in this very important conversation.
About 21 participants were part of the Research which began in 2021 and funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.
