Post-disaster mental health servicing in Pacific Island communities: An integrative review

Dawes, Nathan; Franklin, Richard C.; McIver, Lachlan; Obed, Jimmy

doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101225

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Indeed, a large body of literature suggests that general resilience and protective factors for Pacific Islander peoples are related to family, community, and cultural factors such as collective-oriented values, close-knit families and family support, strong cultural identity, connectedness to land and understanding of natural resources, indigenous knowledge and wisdom, and faith and spirituality [ 17 , 21 , 27 , 29 , 54 , 55 ]. Multiple studies have also demonstrated the importance of religious support, traditional knowledge, and both formal and informal health workforce development for post-disaster mental health in Pacific Island nations [ 56 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Resilience and Cultural Responses in Crisis: Lessons Learned from Pacific Islander Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA

Burrage

Mills

Coyaso

et al. 2023

J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

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Pacific Islander communities in the USA experienced some of the most severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative synthesis examines the literature on Pacific Islander community responses and lessons learned from COVID-19, using a systematic search that identified 28 articles with this focus. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to classify both documented efforts by Pacific Islander communities to respond to the pandemic, as well as lessons learned and best practices from research in this area. Results revealed multiple efforts to address the pandemic, including Pacific Islander grassroots approaches, government responses, inter-sector collaboration, and research. Results further emphasized the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive outreach and messaging; partnership, engagement, and capacity building; and changes in research and policy approaches to promote health equity. Future efforts to address public health crises should make the most of Pacific Islander cultural approaches to disaster response. To achieve this, government and other organizations that work with PI communities need to support the development of the PI leadership, healthcare and research workforces, and work with Pacific Islander communities to build long-term, sustainable, and trustworthy partnerships.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Resilience and Cultural Responses in Crisis: Lessons Learned from Pacific Islander Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA

Burrage

Mills

Coyaso

et al. 2023

J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

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“…Access to health services could be critical in preventing or mitigating the adverse mental health outcomes that arise from climate change stressors. However, Pacific Islands' mental health and post-disaster services are considered poor [ 98 ]. The reasons are limited infrastructure, funding, and the small number of mental health professionals in the Pacific Islands [ 98 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Pacific Islands' mental health and post-disaster services are considered poor [ 98 ]. The reasons are limited infrastructure, funding, and the small number of mental health professionals in the Pacific Islands [ 98 ]. To overcome these challenges, Dawes et al [ 98 ] propose de-centralizing the Pacific mental health services and introducing programs to support vulnerable groups such as children that will increase mental health awareness in Pacific Island communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reasons are limited infrastructure, funding, and the small number of mental health professionals in the Pacific Islands [ 98 ]. To overcome these challenges, Dawes et al [ 98 ] propose de-centralizing the Pacific mental health services and introducing programs to support vulnerable groups such as children that will increase mental health awareness in Pacific Island communities. Finally, programs that can help Pacific Islanders develop skills to adapt to new climatic conditions, such as Tuvalu's Skills for Life Adjustment and Resilience program [ 58 ], could also have positive mental health outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The influence of climate change on mental health in populations of the western Pacific region: An umbrella scoping review

Vafeiadou,

Banissy,

Banissy

et al. 2023

Heliyon

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“…Given the increase in severity and frequency of natural disasters due to factors such as climate change, identifying sustainable ways to increase mental health capacity following natural disasters in LMICs is a current research and public health priority (2,(5)(6)(7). More studies of risk factors for distress, and services and interventions that can help to buffer individuals from high levels of distress, might help to guide improved services and policies to promote mental health in these settings, and might help to promote mental health capacity more broadly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of distress and psychosocial support 2 years post-displacement following a natural disaster in a lower middle income country

Nzayisenga

Chan

Roome

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundDisplacement due to natural disaster exposure is a major source of distress, and disproportionately affects people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Public mental health resources following natural disasters and displacement are often limited in LMICs. In 2017, the population of one island in Vanuatu, a lower-middle income country, was displaced due to volcanic activity. Following the launch of a public mental health policy in 2009, psychosocial support interventions are increasingly available, providing an opportunity to assess relationships with distress following displacement.Methods440 people contributed data. We assessed distress using a local adaptation of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and types of psychosocial support available and received, including from health professionals, support groups, and traditional networks such as chiefs, traditional healers, and church leaders. We analyzed relationships between distress and psychosocial support, controlling for sociodemographic covariates.ResultsProfessional and group support was reported available by 86.8–95.1% of participants. Traditional support networks were widely used, especially by men. Availability of professional support predicted lower distress among men (p < 0.001) and women (p = 0.015) (ηp2 = 0.026–0.083). Consulting church leaders for psychosocial support was associated with higher distress among men (p = 0.026) and women (p = 0.023) (ηp2 = 0.024–0.031). Use of professional and group support was lower than reported availability.DiscussionIncreased collaboration between professional and traditional support networks could help respond to mental health needs following natural disasters in LMICs with limited infrastructure. Providing training and resources to church leaders might be a specific target for improvement. Promoting use of available services represents a continued public health need.

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Post-disaster mental health servicing in Pacific Island communities: An integrative review

Cited by 6 publications

References 30 publications

Community Resilience and Cultural Responses in Crisis: Lessons Learned from Pacific Islander Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA

Community Resilience and Cultural Responses in Crisis: Lessons Learned from Pacific Islander Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA

The influence of climate change on mental health in populations of the western Pacific region: An umbrella scoping review

Patterns of distress and psychosocial support 2 years post-displacement following a natural disaster in a lower middle income country

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