Soifua Maloloina (Good Health)

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By May 11, 2015 No Comments

Authors: David Lui, NEW ZEALAND

Year: 2000

Event: 2000 TheMHS Conference

Subject: Rehabilitation And Recovery, Transcultural mental health, book of proceedings

Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers

Abstract: Soifua Maloloina is the Samoan word for Good Health. The paper will explore and discuss our philosophy in attaining mental health. This is based on the Samoan Perspective of Health and the Fonofale Model.

The Samoan perspective of Health is based on balanced relationships between God, people and the environment. Important concepts of Family, kinship and sense of belonging will be discussed.

Illness is when there is a disruption in the flow of life causing an imbalance in the relationships mentioned above. The various terms and causes of mental illness will be discussed including those caused by the supernatural or spirits.
Natural and traditional therapy (herbs, leaves, massage, and talking treatment) as well as role of modern medicine in the treatment of mental illness.

Fonofale Model of Health:
The components of the model will be discussed e.g. Culture, Family, the Four Posts of the House consisting of Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Other dimension. The importance of Environment, Context and Time.
The paper will then go on to demonstrate how rehabilitation and recovery is achieved in our service using these models.

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