Abstract
Maori have high rates of bipolar disorder (BD) and mental health service use. Despite the high prevalence and the impact on functioning and whanau (family), there is limited research on treatment interventions for Maori with bipolar disorder and indeed on Maori and indigenous mental health generally. A qualitative study combining individual interviews and focus groups was conducted with the aim to explore mental health clinicians' and Maori mental health workers' perspectives of effective treatment for Maori with BD. Sixteen participants took part in either individual interviews, focus groups or both. The study found the importance of a Maori worldview; tikanga Maori (rituals); understanding the whanau context, whakawhanaugatanga (connection), the powhiri (introduction) process, and whakarongo (listening) were key to working effectively with Maori who had BD. Both the interviews and focus groups identified similar concepts. The concept of whakawhanaungatanga (connection) captures the themes from the individual interviews and focus groups. The participants in this study identified the person and their culture rather than the psychiatric diagnosis as crucial to providing effective care to Maori with BD. Without a foundation in whakawhanaungatanga, engagement, diagnosis, treatment adherence, and the process of recovery are unlikely to be as effective for Maori with BD. It was evident from the findings that it was the person not the diagnosis that was central to therapeutic engagement.