Psychologist begins suicide research

A Samoan Psychologist from Waikato University, Dr. Byron Seiuli, has started a research, examining the links between young adults’ ability to cope with life stressors and their psychological and emotional wellbeing.

Funded by the NZ Health Research Council, Dr. Seiuli was in the country last week where he addressed a gathering at the National University of Samoa about his research topic.

The title of his paper was “Hookin’ Up: Examining cultural and social factors influencing tertiary students’ ability to handle stress.”

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Dr. Seiuli, who hails from the village of Malie, said he was in Samoa not long ago working with churches, hospitals, and villages who were affected by the 2009 tsunami.

This time, his focus is on the age group 18-25 years old.

“I’ve been here to do interviews and research on the ability of young people to cope with stress,” he said.

“One of my key areas that I am exploring as a part of my health research counselling is to look at how Pacific people and men in particular deal with stresses that leads to depression and suicide.”

According to Dr. Seiuli, general health research indicates that young people, especially those around the ages of 18-25 years old, are in the high risk category to experiment with drugs, alcohol, risk taking behaviors, and sex.

This often leads to physiological and psychological problems that if not managed properly, can be devastating.

In examining sociological health concerns for young people, Dr. Seiuli is seeking to explore the role that culture (fa'asamoa), spirituality (lotu — ola faaleagaga), family, education, friendships and intimate relationships plays in the way young people cope while engaging in higher education.

While there is a high expectation to succeed, there is also the pressure of maintaining family chores (feau), church choirs, be presented for village matters (taulealea) and complete assignments and study for exams.

There are concerns that young Samoans, and men in particular, do not cope well with depression, anxiety, or failure.

Many of these can lead to suicidal thoughts or even attempts.

It is out of some of these concerns that Dr. Seiuli is undertaking this research.

Dr. Seiuli, who resides in Hamilton New Zealand, will provide information from his research to other health clinicians and educators in his field as a psychologist.

“The aim is to help them work more effectively with Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, and other Pacific young people impacted by depression, stress and suicidal thoughts.”

Dr. Seiuli also told the Samoa Observer that this is one of the most distressing issue Pacific Islanders face every year.

“Something should be done to alleviate this problem,” he said.

“It may appear like a big problem, but the solution is very simple. Relationship and support is very vital in this issue.

“Parents should give their children the opportunity to voice out their problems and talk to them about ways that could solve their problems.

“Hear them out and give them the support they need.”

Lastly, Dr. Seiuli is passionate about returning to help. “Counselling is a more modernized way to solve this, and I would love to come back after my research to teach and instil in the minds of our children that suicide is never the answer to our problems.”

Dr. Seiuli is a counselling psychologist with over 15 years of clinical experience in New Zealand, working with the NZ Family Courts, Child Youth & Family Services, and NZ Dept of Corrections Psychological Services.

He is also the first person of Pacific descent to graduate with a PhD from Psychology at the University of Waikato where he teaches, and he hopes his achievements will pave the way for other Pacific people.