title: Developing a culturally appropriate mental health care service for Samoa.
abstract: Mental Health Care Services are part of the National Health Services for Samoa. Their function is to provide mental health care services to the population of Samoa, which numbers 180,000 people. However, like many other countries in the Pacific region, mental health is considered a low priority. The mental health budget allocation barely covers the operation of mental health care services. More broadly, there is a lack of political awareness about mental health care services and mental health rarely becomes an issue of deliberation in the political arena. This article outlines the recent development of mental health care services in Samoa, including the Mental Health Policy 2006 and Mental Health Act 2007. It tells the story of the successful integration of aiga (family) as an active partner in the provision of care, and the development of the Aiga model utilizing Samoan cultural values to promote culturally appropriate family-focused community mental health care for Samoa. Mental Health Care Services today encompass both clinical and family-focused community mental health care services. The work is largely nurse-led. Much has been achieved over the past 25 years. Increased recognition by government and increased resourcing are necessary to meet the future health care needs of the Samoan people.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Unit, Samoan National Health Services, Apia, Samoa.
authors.forename: Matamua Iokapeta Sina
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Enoka
authors.forename: Aliilelei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tenari
authors.forename: Tupou
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sili
authors.forename: Latama
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peteru
authors.forename: Pisaina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tago
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blignault
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D005192:Family Health; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D018947:Samoa
keywords: Pacific Islands; Samoa; culture; family nursing; mental health services