Dr Inez Fainga'a-Manu Sione spoke to us about establishing the Health Hub for pregnant Pasefika women in Queensland, as a means to navigating the health network with the assistance of Pasefika women with their unique Pasefika touch to create a comfortable and supportive environment.
She is most passionate about their Side-by-Side initiative to create a 'space' for Pasefika people to 'talanoa' on mental health and suicide prevention. These are not, and have never been, easy issues to discuss, but having the space with Pasefika health specialists and spiritual leaders to openly share stories and experiences in a non-judgemental way, Dr Inez believes it will go along way in helping Pasefika people, especially young people, deal with mental health and prevent suicide.
