Silent Waves

Within the Pacific Islander community, there is lingering discomfort when it comes to addressing mental health and seeking help. Mental health remains a taboo subject, and seeking external assistance is often perceived as something that should be resolved internally. Through this story, I aim to shed light on alternative perspectives regarding the challenges my people face. The central themes of this narrative revolve around mental health and embracing the notion that it is acceptable not to be okay. Seeking help for our loved ones outside our immediate circle should be regarded as an act of love rather than betrayal. The concept of relying solely on ourselves for empathy, understanding, and compassion is overshadowed by the reality that we cannot be the sole providers of these essential qualities. The truth is, we cannot simply depend on ourselves. We aren’t all we’ve got. It truly takes a village, a collective effort, and support from a community. At times, when our immediate family fails to acknowledge the pain experienced by ourselves or our loved ones, it is perfectly acceptable to seek help from individuals who can offer the necessary assistance.

This heartfelt story is a tribute to my dear friend and her family. It’s heavily influenced by her and where the beginning of their world's wrath took place. With a sincere and heartfelt desire to convey my deep appreciation for her willingness to be open and vulnerable, I felt compelled to dedicate the powerful emotions and vulnerabilities captured in this picture to the Tai of her world, a person of great significance to her. However, in his incredible humility, he gently steered my intentions in a different direction. He graciously encouraged the idea not to dedicate this film to himself but rather to extend it to embrace the multitude of Pacific Islander men who wrestle with the profound inner turmoil that often eludes their full understanding.

He beautifully summed up his walk in this life as a Polynesian man: “We never learned our minds.” Our formal education typically focuses on external subjects, such as mathematics, science, literature, and history, rather than providing dedicated instruction about the nature and workings of the mind itself. We need to learn about the influence of our upbringing, experiences, and genetics on our cognitive processes. We need to explore the power of perception and how it shapes our understanding of the world. We need to investigate memory and its role in shaping our identity and learning. We need to dive into the complexities of emotions and how they impact our well-being. We need to examine the fascinating interplay between conscious and unconscious processes.

My goal is to unite my Pacific Islander community and shed light on the various impacts a single situation can have on mental health. We are faced with a choice: prioritize ourselves and our well-being or persist on a path of self-destruction by constantly tending to others and putting them before ourselves. There is no definitive right or wrong answer when it comes to dealing with these challenges. The most important thing is to find what works best for us and embark on the path that leads to our personal growth and well-being.