‘Niu Journeys’: How to have a conversation about mental health

When we hear the words mental health, people think it’s a lot of talking and listening - about the power of practising gratitude, uplifting yourself and those around you, listening, being present, and giving people validation.

But it’s more than that, says Pacific radio host Monica Ah-Young.

Her show/podcast ‘Niu Journeys’ airs every Sunday on Niu FM, and delves into the journey of local and international community heroes.

She says the show also provides insightful talanoa that encourages deep thought and meaningful conversations on mental health.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week in Aotearoa New Zealand and the theme is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’.

Ah-Young said the show provided a different look into the lives of local and international mental health advocates.

“Niu Journeys is where I talk to Māori and Pasifika people about their journey, and mental health intertwines with their story. A lot of them have a different story, but mental health is a core theme throughout their stories.

“One of the questions is what determines a good life. Whether or not it comes through health, family, friendships, relationships. And everybody’s answer who comes on our show is different, they all have a different understanding of what a ‘good life’ looks like.”

The show has featured several community leaders such as Dave Letele, Fitz 275 and others who share their unique perspectives.

Ah-Young said a common message throughout all her interviewees is knowing how to set boundaries.

“One of the common answer is identifying when it’s okay to say no, and not overloading themselves with saying yes to a lot of things and getting burned out easily.

“We’ve got a lot of people prominent in our communities, they take on a lot of responsibilities and there’s a lot that’s put on them in terms of pressure.

“They have to either constantly show up for things, or be on top of their game all the time. So a theme that’s come through a lot is setting boundaries, and learning to say no because it is ok to say no.”

Ah-Young said the show encouraged deep and meaningful conversations within the Pacific communities.

“I think a lot of our people when we talk about deep subjects it sometimes gets masked with humour.

“We only touch surface level conversations around deeper issues, trauma. And I wanted to do something more authentic to who I am as a person.

“I like talking to people, and getting to know people on a deeper level. But it’s also giving our people the opportunity that the people we look up to also have their own story.

“They’ve come from learning from their mistakes, come from lessons.

“It’s important for us to see that these people also offer something else as well which is life advice.

“For myself as a young person, sometime we feel lost like where to next. Are we getting married, are we starting families, what does adulting look like?

“So to hear these people who we look up to, how they navigate their way through life, I hope that’ll be able to reach our young people that no matter what page of life they’re in, someone on our show can offer them to help in whatever mental state they’re in.”
Listen to Niu Journeys here: