Samoan Perceptions of the Mental Health Act: A study about the use and experiences of compulsory psychiatric treatment amongst Samoans in Aotearoa.

Abstract

This thesis looks at the use of compulsory psychiatric treatment among Samoan patients under the care of Auckland District Health Board’s Pacific community mental health service, Lotofale. Central to the study was exploring their views and experiences of being subject to a community treatment order under section 29 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. A qualitative case study method was used to conduct the research. Social constructionism and Kaupapa Māori theory provided the theoretical framework. Several sources of information were used including patients, family, mental health professionals, patient and statistical data from Auckland District Health Board. 22 interviews involving patients, family and mental health professionals were conducted. The results suggest that compulsory community treatment orders may be used disproportionately more often in Samoan patients than in the general population, and that Samoan patients have very little understanding of the implications of these orders. Themes of lack of knowledge among the patients, and ambivalence and power among staff, were prominent. The findings of the study indicate a need for greater research about the use of compulsory psychiatric treatment in Pacific people and further investigation into Samoan conceptions of mental health, particularly the role of language.