Thomas Strickland, Wharepaoro Christie & Mohi Allen

CHUR! ALL GOOD, BRO?

Thomas Strickland (Te Aupouri, Aitutaki), Wharepaoro Christie (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Whakatohea) and Mohi Allen (Te Tai Tokerau whānui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Tapu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) collectively have been kaimahi in the mental health and suicide prevention spaces for over 20 years. As passionate advocates for positive mental health and wellbeing for all whānau Māori and with the incredibly saddening suicide statistics for tāne Māori (Māori men) in Aotearoa, the trio collaborated closely with Māori communities nationwide and created the first-ever Māori suicide prevention resource under the umbrella of Kia Piki te Ora and the Mental Health Foundation, called “CHUR! ALL GOOD, BRO?”. Through extensive engagement with whānau across Aotearoa, together they forged a resource deeply rooted in Te Ao Māori while ensuring the language used speaks to tāne Māori. The CHUR BRO team continue to work and advocate for better health outcomes for Māori and are excited to share their kaupapa at this year’s Indigenous Wellbeing Conference.