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Mental health and addiction

Mental health and addiction workforce development

Le Va is Ministry of Health appointed to provide New Zealand’s national centre for Pacific mental health and addiction workforce development.

In New Zealand, Pasifika people have higher rates of mental illness, substance abuse and suicide attempts with more severe and complex needs compared to the general population. All of this, with lower and later rates of access to services, and overall poorer health outcomes.

A key enabler for reducing these health inequities is developing a capable mental health and addiction workforce.

Le Va supports services to enhance the cultural responsiveness of their workforce, and to grow and upskill Pasifika people so that services better reflect the populations they serve. This includes equipping the workforce with tools and resources that will enhance their practice, deliver innovative and integrated care, and improve outcomes for all New Zealanders.