Bula vinaka: Fijian MHA delegates visit Le Va

In early November, Le Va welcomed a delegation of mental health and addiction sector leaders representing government, health and NGO services from Fiji.

The delegates, who were part of a study tour sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and hosted by the Salvation Army New Zealand, were keen to learn about Le Va’s successful Pacific health workforce development programmes, particularly in the addiction sector.

Fiji is currently facing a drug use crisis with widespread methamphetamine addiction, especially among their young people, and an associated rise in drug-related mental health problems.

Like many Pacific nations, Fiji is also experiencing similar challenges in health and social issues. The Fijian government is seeking solutions and taking measures to tackle the surge in drug use, which is a problem affecting the wider Pacific and also Aotearoa.

Alongside sharing information about Le Va’s mental health and addiction initiatives, the Le Va leadership team presented on its innovative suicide and violence prevention programmes, such as LifeKeepers and Atu-Mai.

Many connections were made at the meeting, which was a rich opportunity for talanoa and the exchange of ideas and possibilities.

Le Va’s senior manager for mental health and addiction, Toleafoa Mark Esekielu, said of the visit,

“Vinaka vaka levu to our Fijian colleagues for taking the time to join us at Le Va. It was rewarding to connect with high-level government and health sector leaders from Fiji to share ideas and make plans to collaborate in the near future.

“We are grateful to our friends at the Salvation Army New Zealand for reaching out to Le Va, and to MFAT for sponsoring the study tour. We all left the meeting filled with knowledge, inspiration and alofa.”

Le Va acknowledges the importance of trans-Pacific collaboration for the mental health and addiction sector, so all nations across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa can support each other and our people to achieve improved outcomes.

Explore Le Va’s addiction workforce resources.