E taua tagata uma! Everyone Has Value! | Faith-based leadership

Meet Imoa Setefano, a passionate advocate who's lived with bipolar disorder and witnessed first-hand the harmful stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Driven by his experience, Imoa and his wife Amelia embarked on a mission to challenge these perceptions. Together, they facilitated talanoa sessions with Pacific groups across Aotearoa. 

Watch our latest video now on their work to improve mental health inclusion in our faith-based communities! 

Through this project, Nōku te Ao is stepping up its broader efforts to tautoko Pacific leaders as they seek to create open dialogue around mental health amongst aiga. Our partnership with Imoa and Amelia, and Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa churches across the motu, represents a step towards: 

• normalising mental health discussions in faith settings 

• empowering church leaders to support mental wellbeing 

• growing champions who tautoko people experiencing distress  

• fostering inclusive spaces for Pacific people with lived experience. 

We encourage all our faith-based leaders to join the conversation and create a more inclusive environment for all tānanga whaiora in their congregations.