Maori Experience of Community Treatment Orders in Otago, New Zealand
Gibbs, Anita; Dawson, John; Forsyth, Hine; Mullen, Richard; Te Oranga Tonu Tanga (Maori Mental Health Team)
This item is not available in full-text via OUR Archive.
If you are the author of this item, please contact us if you wish to discuss making the full text publicly available.
Publisher
Cite this item:
Gibbs, A., Dawson, J., Forsyth, H., Mullen, R., & Te Oranga Tonu Tanga (Maori Mental Health Team). (2004). Maori Experience of Community Treatment Orders in Otago, New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 38, 830–835. doi:10.1080/j.1440-1614.2004.01468.x
Permanent link to OUR Archive version:
http://hdl.handle.net/10523/6626
Abstract:
Objective: To consider the impact of community treatment orders (CommTOs) on Maori patients and their whanau (extended family) and the associated views of mental health professionals.
Method: As a distinct aspect of a larger study of CommTOs, eight Maori patients under compulsory community care were interviewed and, where possible, members of their whanau. Associated interviews were held with their psychiatrists, key workers and other carers: 39 interviews in total.
Results: Both benefits and drawbacks of CommTOs for Maori were identified by patients and whanau. CommTOs were considered helpful in increasing patient safety and whanau security and in promoting access to services. They were favoured over hospital care, forensic care and homelessness. The drawbacks included the sense of external control imposed on both Maori patients and staff, particularly concerning medication and restrictions on choices.
Conclusions: This was a small study of a limited number of Maori patients under CommTOs. Their views may not be fully representative. There was a general consensus among those interviewed that the timely use of CommTOs can enhance the mental wellbeing and social relationships of Maori patients. Continuing efforts are needed by health professionals to communicate effectively with whanau and to understand the conflicts experienced by Maori in reconciling their traditional beliefs with the medical model of mental illness.
Date:
2004
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Pages:
830-835
Rights Statement:
Copyright © 2004, © SAGE Publications
Keywords:
Community Treatment Orders; Maori; mental health legislation; whanau
Research Type:
Journal Article
Languages:
English
Collections
- Sociology, Gender and Social Work [227]
- Journal Article [785]
The following licence files are associated with this item: