A Description of a Māori, Minimum Secure, Forensic Mental Health Unit: A Step toward Equity

Abstract

Indigenous people have a right to culturally responsive secure inpatient forensic mental health services (FMHS). Yet, there is a paucity of literature highlighting such facilities. This study aims to provide an exemplar of a culturally responsive Māori minimum secure unit for the indigenous people (Māori) of Aotearoa (New Zealand). A Māori research approach (Kaupapa Māori research) was used to highlight the voice of tāngata whai i te ora (service users), their whānau (family), and Māori kaimahi (staff), to describe life in this service. Personal recovery-oriented care was evident emphasizing developing a sense of cultural identity. This approach was attached to a focus on collective identity to enable people to gain skills to thrive within their whānau, once living in the community. This was achieved through a combination of embedding Māori values and practices into daily life, coupled with a blending of culturally specific and evidence-based programmes. Despite the significant gains demonstrated through the development of this culturally responsive unit, challenges to progress exist. Māori leadership to the unit has been eroded, but those interviewed expressed resolve to navigate a solution. This exemplar provides an international impetus for cultural transformation to meet the needs of indigenous peoples in FMHS.