Let Me Explain: Mental Health Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Talofa lava fam,

This one’s from the heart. After releasing my last episode, I felt a nudge to come back to the mic and hold space for a deeper reflection. Not to backtrack, not to justify… just to expand. Because the truth is, mental health isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. And I never want anyone to feel like their story doesn’t belong in this space.

As Pasifika people, we’re slowly learning to have conversations around mental health, but it’s still new, still raw. We’ve grown up being told to “brush it off” or “pray it away,” but what happens when those tools aren’t enough? What about our people who live with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or other conditions where healing isn’t as simple as checking in or lighting a candle?

In this episode, I unpack:
• Why mental health looks different for everyone
• How important it is to destigmatise complex conditions
• Why “positive vibes only” isn’t helpful for everyone
• The need to build safe spaces—where we’re not judged, rushed, or made to feel like we’re too much

This talanoa is for those who’ve ever felt unseen in the mental health conversation. You matter. Your story matters. And your experience, no matter how layered, is valid.

Let’s stop boxing people into what we think mental health should look like. Let’s hold space. Let’s lead with compassion. Let’s break the stigma and rewrite what support looks like, especially in our Pasifika communities.

Need support?

If anything in this episode brought something up for you, please know you’re not alone. Reach out for support if you need it:
🇦🇺 Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
🇳🇿 1737 Need to Talk?: Free call or text 1737

Cover art for Episode 4 of The Talanoa Lounge. “Let Me Explain: Mental Health Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All.” Courts holds space for the unseen stories in our communities.