Launching Tu Tonu: Cultural Case Formulation training

Le Va is proud to announce the launch of Tu Tonu: Cultural Case Formulation – an innovative new full-day training designed to support health professionals in crafting culturally responsive formulations of mental health and addiction challenges.

About Tu Tonu

The Tu Tonu cultural case formulation tool provides a holistic explanation of the journey for tagata ola, illustrating how mental health and addiction challenges develop and are maintained, while also considering a person’s cultural experiences, strengths and their aspirations.

Tu Tonu enhances the knowledge and skills of health professionals to develop cultural case formulations, nourishing the va between tagata ola and practitioners and increasing their ability to practice safely and effectively.

Le Va held the first Tu Tonu training sessions in October in Manukau, Auckland and in Naenae, Lower Hutt.

One attendee said, “It was so good to have this new Tu Tonu tool. I’ve already used almost everything I got from the training. It was so useful, applicable and it has helped me to work in a strengths-based approach.”

What’s in a name?

‘Mo yaga ka Vinaka vakaniu, e sega ni dua na tikina e biu – Be as useful as the coconut tree, no part of it is wasted.’ – Fijian proverb

The coconut tree is known as the tree of life across the Pacific. It is culturally treasured, sustainable, has many uses and it embodies the resilience of Pasifika people.

The name ‘Tu Tonu’ – a pan-Pacific phrase meaning ‘stand true’ – can translate to reaching potential, growing tall, maintaining strength and, like the resilient coconut tree, standing tall in the face of stormy and severe weather that we sometimes face in life.

“The use of the coconut tree as a tool and model is great, and also the integration of clinical and cultural factors is exciting,” said a Tu Tonu attendee.

Another attendee enjoyed, “Being able to learn another cultural framework to utilise with tagata ola. Engaging with other participants – sharing ideas, insights about cultural case formulation. Trainers are knowledgeable, skilled and have a fun and relaxed way of engaging with the class. Love the Tu Tonu model and looking forward to using it in practice.”

Learn more about our Tu Tonu: Cultural Case Formulation training or email pasifikaprimarymha@leva.co.nz for more information.