An innovative community organizing campaign to improve mental health and wellbeing among Pacific Island youth in South Auckland,New Zealand

Abstract

Objective:

To examine whether being an organizer in a community organizing program improves personal agency and self-reported mental health outcomes among low-income Pacific Island youth in Auckland, New Zealand.

Method:

Counties Manukau Health initiated a community organizing campaign led and run by Pacific Island youth. We used interviews, focus groups and pre- and post-campaign surveys to examine changes among 30 youths as a result of the campaign.

Results:

Ten youths completed both pre- and post-campaign surveys. Eleven youths participated in focus groups, and four in interviews. Overall, youths reported an increased sense of agency and improvements to their mental health.

Conclusions:

Community organizing has potential as a preventive approach to improving mental health and developing agency over health among disempowered populations.