Whitiki Maurea is Waitematā District Health Board’s Māori Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Service. It consists of three teams:
MOKO Services
Te Ātea Marino
Te Pae Ahurea
WhÄ«tiki Maurea is committed to the kaupapa of healing for Māori by weaving together Māori cultural values and Western clinical practice, thereby providing Māori tangata i te whaiora and their Whānau with the best possible health outcomes. Whānau centered therapy is the driving force for WhÄ«tiki Maurea and a marae-focused, wairua-driven service is the ultimate objective.
Moko Services: Māori Mental Health Team
Based on the North Shore and in Waitakere City, Moko MÅkai provides both cultural and clinical services to Māori tangata i te whaiora living in the Waitematā DHB area. Access to Moko MÅkai is via direct referral or via other Waitematā DHB mental health services.
Te Ä€tea Marino: Māori Alcohol and Drug Regional Team
The Te Ä€tea Marino regional Māori Alcohol and Drug Team provides a range of services to Māori tangata i te whaiora and their Whānau throughout the Auckland metropolitan area. Te Ä€tea Marino also works alongside Community Alcohol and Drug Services Auckland (CADS) to ensure that Māori tangata i te whaiora needs are met. Access to Te Ä€tea Marino is via direct referral or via CADS teams.
Te Pae Ahurea
Te Pae Ahurea is the cultural team who guides the District Mental Health Service throughout Waitematā DHB by supporting Māori tangata whai i te ora and their Whānau. Te Pae Ahurea can be accessed via email: Māorisupport@waitematadhb.govt.nz. Duty Ph: (09) 822 8557
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness is a clinically significant behavioural or psychological (to do with the mind) disorder that is associated with distress or disability. It is not just the way someone responds to a particular event nor is it limited to the way a person interacts with society.
A mental illness can continuously or intermittently affect a person’s thinking, feeling and behaviour. It can limit our ability to function as society would normally expect of us and can put us and others at risk.
Mental illness is therefore, a broad term that covers problems ranging from minor to severe disorders.
Who is a Psychiatrist?
A ‘psychiatrist’ is a doctor who, after receiving medical qualifications and basic hospital experience, receives further training and develops the expertise to become a ‘specialist’ in identifying, diagnosing, and treating mental illnesses. You may be referred to a psychiatrist if your doctor feels you need specialist help.