Tui Taurua calls herself a "mental health warrior" - and after her journey, she's earned that title. 

From 1977 to 2001, she spent over two decades cycling in and out of psychiatric hospitals, hearing voices that doctors called "hallucinations" and taking up to 25 medications a day that left her sedated on the couch, watching life pass her by.

When Western medicine failed her, Tui made a terrifying but life-changing decision - she walked away from the psychiatric system and embraced Te Whare Tapa Whā, the Māori holistic health model. Learning to listen to her wairua (spiritual essence) rather than suppress it, she discovered her 'voices' weren't symptoms to medicate away, but her tūpuna guiding her toward healing. Now 30 years into her recovery, this Indigenous mental health professional works as a bicultural supervisor, helping others find their potential beyond their diagnosis through traditional Māori approaches to wellness.

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text here!

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