Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) and PFL CEO, Debbie Sorensen, says the Pacific Mental Health Commissioner serves a wider purpose of providing access to mental health services for Pacific communities.  

"What we know is that Pacific people have poor access to mental health services, and we continue to identify challenges faced by our communities. Mental health in a Pacific context is not being catered to by mainstream mental health services and we see a high need for this to be addressed.  

"The Pacific Mental Health Commissioner is a pivotal piece of work for our communities especially considering the lack of investment in the Pacific mental health and well-being workforce."  

Mrs Sorensen says there are five key priorities for the Commissioner.  

"The priorities for the Pacific Mental Health Commissioner are to invest in people, in services, in gathering evidence, and in our most vulnerable and partnerships. 

"As an organisation, we have trained 2,202 Pacific Primary Mental Health workers to date. The Commissioner is an opportunity for us to continue stressing the importance of delivering mental health support, with Pacific ideologies, values and our families at the core of our work."  

Pacific Mental Health Commissioner  

Trustees  

Dr Etuini Ma’u – Consultant Psychogeriatrician, Waikato District Health Board  

Mr Abel Smith – Director of Nursing Pacific, Te Toka Tumai

Dr Sione Vaka – Associate Professor, The University of Waikato  

Dr David Tan – Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist   

Mrs Debbie Sorensen – Chief Executive Officer, Pasifika Medical Association    

Regional Advisors  

Dr Jimmy Obed – Psychiatrist, Vanuatu  

Seiuliali’i Dr George Usufono Leao Tuitama – Psychiatrist, Samoa  

Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong – Psychologist, Cook Islands  

Metua  

Dr Francis Agnew – Senior Psychiatrist