Strategies for increasing Pasifika Psychologists in the Health Workforce

Pasifika communities have inequitably high rates of mental distress and suicidal behaviour, with low rates of access to mental health and addiction support services. Increasing the number of Pasifika psychologists and other mental health and addiction workers is an enabler to address inequitable health outcomes.

Pasifika psychologists have the potential to provide culturally responsive therapeutic interventions, integrating cultural and clinical competence.
Le Va has identified barriers and constrictors to growing the Pasifika psychologists at various points along the training and career pipeline and implemented a range of strategies at these intervention points for more than a decade.