Asiasiga: a Samoan intervention to address the immediate mental health needs of Samoan communities after a tsunami

Abstract

Objective: To describe an Indigenous Samoan psychosocial intervention developed to address the mental health needs of affected communities in Samoa following a tsunami. Method: A partnership was established between Samoan therapists, Samoan Catholic pastoral workers and non-Samoan mental health clinicians, informed by Samoan concepts of self and wellbeing. The format developed for visits to significantly affected households was based on a Samoan cultural practice known as asiasiga and was carried out by pastoral workers, with daily group supervision and access to mental health professionals. Results: Household visits were offered to affected families in villages throughout southern and eastern Upolu and the island of Manono. There was a high degree of acceptance of the programme by Pulenu’u (village governance leaders) and family leaders and members. Conclusions: Mental health responses to the needs of Indigenous Pacific communities following a disaster need to be embedded in the values of those communities. The Samoan practice of asiasiga contributed to the high degree of acceptability of this programme. Partnerships with churches, schools and other local organisations are likely to enhance acceptability and participation. More research is required on Indigenous Pacific post-disaster mental health programmes.