Tongan-born Sione Vaka was a mental health nurse before undertaking a PhD on Tongan attitudes to mental illness. Tongans, along with people from other Pacific Island cultures, may prefer to approach a traditional healer for an exorcism ceremony or a herbal potion if they experience symptoms of mental illness. Mr Vaka's research aims to help mental health workers provide more effective services for Pasifika patients.
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New Zealand Herald
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Photograph by Kellie Blizard
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