Growing up between two worlds, Kayla Schwalger felt disconnected from her Samoan heritage while trying to succeed in New Zealand - a struggle many second-generation Pacific Islanders know well. 

Moving to Samoa at 14 helped, but it also brought challenges including undiagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder in a culture where mental health often wasn't discussed.

Today, this Pacific mental health advocate co-runs Tapasā with her mother, reconnecting Pacific youth to their culture. Through programs honouring ancestral wisdom, Kayla shows how grounding yourself in identity provides strength when life gets difficult.

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If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/