Lay summary
This research investigates whanau experiences of and preferences for mental health service provision. The research will centre on whanau impacted by bipolar disorder and whanau perceptions of health care, and will include a focus on; health literacy, access issues, and, whanau ora service provision. The research will inform understandings of whanau experiences and preferences for mental health service provision, intervention to strengthen health literacy among whanau impacted by mental health issues, and the characteristics of optimal whanau ora mental health service delivery/models of care. While this research specifically addresses strong concerns of Ngati Manuhiri whanau, data shows that mental health issues and bipolar disorder are a major health issue for other iwi and Maori populations and therefore the project findings will have much wider relevance. The research originates from and is led by Ngati Manuhiri, and will be driven by a kaupapa Manuhiri framework that is based on our own distinct tribal values while maintaining an alignment with the broader kaupapa Maori frameworks routinely used within Maori health research.