The Collaborative Design of Mental Health & Addictions approach sits as an initiative and priority within the Growing Collective Wellbeing Regional Suicide Prevention Strategy. Whānau identified the challenge to finding the right type of support at the right time was difficult and daunting. Whānau talked about experiencing discrimination and judgement through their interactions with different services. Community and practitioners wanted to see a collaborative re-design of services to make finding support a mana-enhancing experience.
Our two AOD teams from Te Whatu Ora CMHAS and Te Oranganui AOD service. The primary intention of the wananga was whanaungatanga, to purposefully bring together both services and start the process of strengthening relationships and connections both internally and externally for all kaimahi working across these services.
Being at the forefront of collaborative innovation is both rewarding and challenging. The commitment to participate in a genuine way was evident as was the wealth of passion and expertise. It is this knowledge, professionalism and passion that will drive our innovative change.
There was acknowledgment that this mahi encompassses two world views sharing space, these being clinical and Mātauranga Māori. Collaborative innovation needs to hold the strength of both views in order to create spaces for equity, accessability and community-led design.
Both teams identified the importance of ongoing wānanga and kōrero around this mahi and identified that there is a need to ensure we generate momentum in this space.
Cheyenne Potaka-Osborne
Te Ātihaunui-a-Papārangi
Project Lead: Collaborative Design Mental Health and Addictions Service Delivery