In conversation with… Jason Haitana

For this In Conversation With…, we hear from Jason Haitana, a leader whose journey into mental health and addiction mahi is deeply connected to whakapapa, whānau and the generations that come before and after us.

From leading co-design work around seclusion in Northland to supporting tāngata whai ora and whānau within inpatient services, he reflects on the importance of listening, compassion and ensuring people can access the care and support they need.

Jason also shares his moemoeā for a future where whānau are supported to heal, services uphold the mana of those they serve, and fewer people reach the point of needing specialist mental health and addiction support.

Could you tell us a little about yourself and the journey that led you to this mahi?

The journey that led me to this space began with tūpuna and ends in my mokopuna. It was chosen for me, and it gifts me with much that is good, entangled though with tohu, or signs, challenges, of my living pathway.

What is one achievement or initiative you’re particularly proud of, and what impact has it had for the people and communities you serve?

Heading co design for seclusion in Northland.

What has been one of the biggest challenges in your mahi, and what has it taught you? 

Being part of an inpatient team and seeing the effects that mental health has on youth and young people. It has taught me patience and empathy and a great deal of compassion for those we serve.

If you could change one thing about the mental health and addictions system in Aotearoa, what would it be, and why?

Access – being resourced enough to do what our people need and want for care and treatment.

What advice would you give to emerging leaders who want to make a positive difference in this space?

Listen to what people say and tell you. It enables you to see things broadly and also enables specific things for us to drill down into. Information is power. It is also a gift.

Finally, what is your moemoeā for the future of mental health and addiction services in Aotearoa?

Where people and their whānau get their needs supported and that we are so good at it that we see less people needing to be seen. In a wider sense, I would like to see healing at all levels and an end to practices that strip mana from our people.