Vanua: A Think Pacific Adventure
Mental Health and Fiji | Sarah-Anne Meares
Trigger Warning: this reflective piece on Indigenous Fijian psychologies and associated experiences contains references to mental health and illness, which may be confronting for some readers.
“Eda sa qaqa… Eda sa qaqa… We have overcome… We have overcome…”
(Eda Sa Qaqa; Fijian Hymn by Botakantu)
As we all sing together, the group of students from Waipapa Taumata Rau look around at the warm community we’ve been wholeheartedly and generously welcomed into during our community mental health project of December 2023. It’s the last day of our project in Sawene Village, Nadroga-Navosa, Fiji with NPO and social enterprise Think Pacific, and I try to ignore the tight feeling in my chest as I catch Nene’s eyes.
But what truly defines “last”? It may be the last physical day here in Sawene, but long-lasting memories, strong friendships, new learnings, and mutual understandings have been formed and exchanged. With support and guidance from our Fijian iliuliu, we have worked alongside community youth from Sawene to destigmatise mental illness together, shared unique perspectives of mental health and psychologies from our diverse backgrounds, and reflected on ways in which to promote positive mental health both in Fiji and back home. Although the weeks here have been continually filled with warm laughter and air fragrant with our foster family’s celebratory flower, Henibua, our warm welcome has allowed earnest and thoughtful dialogue to unfold between community and Think Pacific volunteer youth alike, about a subject growing in awareness but otherwise often met with apprehension—mental health.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological difficulties increased substantially among Fijian youth [1]. Without a direct English translation, vanua is the embodiment of Fijian identity, representing the land, family tribe, spirituality, unique Fijian knowledge and psychologies, and the relationships between all [2]. Engaging in real conversation while incorporating mental-health-oriented activities and brainstorms meant that Think Pacific volunteers had the privilege of learning from our hosts, while encouraging further discussion regarding the importance of embracing the unique strengths of Indigenous Fijian psychologies to cope with such psychological challenges. Compared to 55% before the project, nearly 80% of all community youth who participated in a Think Pacific Project in 2023 said they now knew what to do if “their friend approached them saying that they are struggling with their mental health” [3]. Additionally, 95.6% of Think Pacific volunteer youth felt their preconceived ideas had been challenged and perspectives broadened [3]. All activities embraced vanua as we were informed of the significance of the kava ceremony and were guided through the art of Tali Ketekete, traditional Fijian song, stories, knowledge, and Meke. We learnt how collaboratively engaging in these vanua-embedded activities supports collective mental health—crucial to Fiji’s community-oriented landscape. Fijian researcher Tarabe said, “vanua is the pulse on which the Fijian heart beats”; to understand even a small section of the rich tapestry that represents Indigenous Fijian psychologies, understanding vanua was vital.
Figure 1: A member of the Fijian Senior Youth Group from Sawene Village kindly helps me with the process of Tali Ketekete, as the Think Pacific team engages in the afternoon cultural course following the morning’s discussion on Mental Health [5].
Tali Ketekete — Basket Weaving
Sitting in a circle with our community Fijian Senior Youth Group, I tentatively select a strip of lano,
keen to learn but somewhat terrified of revealing my not-virtually-quite-literally-non-existent-weaving skills. “Bula vinaka, Sarah!” I quickly glance up, and immediately feel relieved to see one of our iliuliu beaming down. After an hour or so, we have woven a beautiful basket together. I’m so excited to present it to Nene later. Sharing resources, a sense of collectivism and social connection, and strong values of community are significant contributors to positive mental health in Fiji [2].
The holistic Pasifika model of health, the Fonofale Model, is depicted by a fale and highlights the importance of not only biological or physical health, but also spiritual, emotional, mental, and social health— among other key variables that can contribute to the health and sense of completeness for a Pasifika person [4]. Indeed, Fa’avae, the foundation of the model, depicts aiga or vuvale in Fijian, encompassing all the people the person connects with and is surrounded by throughout life [4]. Although more in-depth psychological research of the unique Fijian context is needed, such strong values of social connection and cooperative, sociocentric behaviour is crucial for positive mental health in Fiji—and for a strong vanua.
Collaborating in Tali Ketekete alongside our youth group—engaged and connected—I felt cherished, supported, and strong, and I was gradually beginning to broaden my Westernised preconceptions on what it means to be mentally well. Tarabe also outlines that veimaliwai have the potential to strengthen vanua, and in so doing, to assist people to tackle complex challenges, including those pertaining to mental health [2]. While 94.3% of Think Pacific volunteers believed their social communication and sense of social connection had improved post-project, Fijian youth (including those supporting us with Tali Ketekete) experienced a 19% average increase in self-assessed communication skills and a 9% average increase in self-esteem and confidence [3].
Meke — Dance
Self-esteem, confidence, social connection: all these words combine to represent the power that underpins storytelling—the power of Meke. “Um, Sarah, that was the wrong way!” My Project Leader giggles, as the Think Pacific volunteer youth are guided through a lesson on Meke dance by the Senior Youth Group and I go tumbling into my partner. “Sorry, I’m sorry!” I fluster, but it’s all OK. My partner pulls me back onto my feet, and we’re onto the next section of the song, traditional music pumping, smiles beaming all round. Meke is a traditional Indigenous Fijian dance, a unique form of storytelling that illustrates times past—stories of the gods, ancient tribes, and past battles—through dance movements and hand gestures [3]. Many participants, both community and Think Pacific youth alike, spoke of the shared connectedness they felt learning and performing the Meke. Indeed, storytelling is a way in which individuals and communities can share their lived experiences, broadening the perspectives of others and passing their stories along to the next generation [6]. In doing so, the creators are able to make sense of their stories and experiences, and learn and grow from them, fostering mental wellbeing and the accompanying shared social connection [6].
The final performance saw the entire village come out to support us. I was nervous beforehand, but it turned out to be the happiest night of my life. After our performance, we enjoyed yaqona and exchanged stories with the village. Think Pacific volunteers from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and Wales shared in the myriad stories of the Sawene Village community. The majority of participants experience a significantly increased sense of connection and confidence following a project, and it’s safe to say I was privileged to be one of them [3].
Sports
“Come, Sarah, we need one more on our team!” My Fijian sister grabs my hand, pulling me towards the volleyball field. “Are you sure you want me on your team? You’ve already seen my dancing!” I giggle, but I let her pull me towards the field where I join the rest of my foster family siblings, a range of community youth, and Think Pacific volunteers. In moderation, sports and exercise have well-documented benefits for mental health, including increased life satisfaction, self-esteem, and reduced levels of depression and stress [7]. In addition to mental-health-specific projects, Think Pacific also offers projects to boost confidence and participation in sports for volunteers and Fijian community youth, as well as sharing the benefits of sport for mental health and long-term illness. In 2023, 13% of Fijian community youth who participated in a Think Pacific project experienced an increased ability to communicate how sport can prevent long-term illnesses, while 94.4% of youth outlined they would be interested in setting up their own sports club [3]. While pre-project, only 33.3% of participating Fijian youth played sports everyday, 100% played everyday where possible after the project [3].
Figure 3: Following the afternoon thunderstorm, it’s time for volleyball on the field with youth from many families of Sawene and Think Pacific [5].
Psychological research is far from adequately representing the immensely rich, vibrant landscape of Indigenous Fijian psychologies and knowledge pertaining to mental health. Nonetheless, it is clear that Fiji is a place where the strongest and most true of veimaliwai form, where Indigenous Fijian knowledge should be embraced for the significant role it plays in the mental health and wellness of the Fijian community. It is a place where families widely extend their arms to anyone wishing to broaden their perspectives, delve into learnings of vanua, and become more globallyminded. I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from and to embrace the warm world that is the Fijian community. Vinaka vakalevu: thank you, sincerely.
“Eda sa qaqa…
Eda sa qaqa…
We have overcome…
We have overcome…”
Glossary
Samoan Glossary
Aiga: Family
Fale: a Samoan house or structural building with different varieties; but traditionally with a thatched, domeshaped roof, open sides, and wooden pole structural support
Think Pacific is a UK-based social enterprise and registered Fijian Charitable Trust working in partnership with the Fijian Ministry of Health and their Towards a Healthy Fiji Islands initiative. Central to Think Pacific’s mission is its local design — every project is created in collaboration with local Fijian communities who have requested Think Pacific support. Through empowering Fiji’s young leaders and enabling local communities to work towards meeting their community health and development, health promotion, and sports development goals; Think Pacific challenges the common “volun-tourism” motif common to many global volunteer companies today and strives towards meeting the key Sustainable Development Goals outlined in Fiji’s National Development Plan. For more information about Think Pacific and for opportunities to get involved on a Think Pacific team adventure, visit thinkpacific.com, get in touch with the 360 International team (360international@auckland.ac.nz), or email Sarah at smea363@aucklanduni.ac.nz (Think Pacific UoA Ambassador). Vinaka vakalevu!
Please reach out for help if you think you or someone you know may be struggling with their mental health. There is always hope. Support is available to help you:
Lifeline: phone 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE), free text 4357 (HELP) (24/7)
Youthline: phone 0800 376 633, free text 234 (24/7), email talk@youthline.co.nz (24/7) 1737: phone 1737 (24/7), free text 1737 (24/7)
OUTline: phone 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE)
Samaritans: phone 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis Helpline: phone 0508 828 86 (0508 TAUTOKO)
University Health & Counselling: phone 0800 698 427 (0800 MY UHCS), email uhsinfo@auckland.ac.nz
Figure 2: Following the Think Pacific group’s Meke performance on the last night of our stay in Sawene Village, many stories and hugs were shared among the community, representing newfound connections and family. Since the project ended, my Sawene sister in this photo and I regularly connect with each other from afar [5].
Glossary
Fijian Glossary; verified by Faith Naduva, International Partnerships Manager with Think Pacific
Bula Vinaka: Hello / Welcome
Eda Sa Qaqa: “We have overcome”; excerpt from a song sung to us in Sawene Village and written by Botakantu
Henibua: the Frangipani (Senibua-Bau Dialect)
Iliuliu: Leader e.g. Think Pacific Project Leader
Lano: Flax
Meke: traditional Fijian Dance of Storytelling
Nene: Mother
Tali Ketekete: Basket Weaving
Vinaka Vakalevu: Thank you very much
Vuvale: Family
Veimaliwai: Relationships / Friendships
Yaqona: commonly known as “kava”; traditional Fijian drink made from the Kava plant’s root, native to the Pacific
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Faith Naduva for her support and assistance in offering her knowledge regarding Think Pacific and Fijian language, dialect, and terminology.
For Nene, Momo, all my Sawene sisters, and Think Pacific — vinaka vakalevu.
In memory of Leveni Vatureba.
[1] G. M. K. Mohammad et al., “Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Mental Health Problems among Young Adults in Fiji Island during COVID-19: a cross-sectional Study,” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 11, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1323635.
[2] A. S. Tarabe and S. Naisilisili, “Decolonising Fiji: Reclaiming Indigenous Fijian Psychologies,” Jan. 2008, Accessed: Jan. 09, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/entities/ publication/09a918ae-3348-4c9f-bcc7-f6bb329d4a45.
[3] Think Pacific, “Think Pacific Annual Report 2022-2023,” Suva, Fiji, 2023, Accessed: Jan. 20, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://thinkpacific. com/about-think-pacific/unique-approach/.
[4] Open Polytechnic, “The Fonofale Model of Health.” openpolytechnic. ac.nz. https://www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/current-students/wellbeing/the-fonofale-model/ (accessed Jan. 9, 2025)
[5] Think Pacific, “Sawene Village Photo Album: Think Pacific Mental Health Project December 2023,” Sawene, Nadroga-Navosa, Fiji, 2023.
[6] R. Gupta and M. Jha, “The Psychological Power of Storytelling,” International Journal of Indian Psychology, vol. 10, no. 3, Sep. 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363415383_ The_Psychological_Power_of_Storytelling.
[7] N. Eather, L. Wade, A. Pankowiak, and R. Eime, “The Impact of Sports Participation on Mental Health and Social Outcomes in adults: a Systematic Review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ Conceptual Model,” Systematic Reviews, vol. 12, no. 1, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1186/ s13643-023-02264-8.
Sarah-Anne is a third-year Psychology student with a special interest in mental health, nutrition, and Indigenous psychologies. With a strong passion for providing holistic, relevant healthcare, she hopes to unify these interests by pursuing a career in medicine that advocates for equitable service provision and historically stigmatised psychiatric and psychological challenges.