By CATHERINE MASTERS
Many senior male psychiatrists believe mentally ill Maori are born that way, an Auckland University survey has found.
The survey of 247 psychiatrists - who answered anonymously - shows a majority of European New Zealand-born men with more than 10 years' experience think Maori are naturally inclined to psychiatric illness.
Comments included "Maori are biologically predetermined to mental illness - especially psychosis," and "Genetically, Maori as a culture seem predisposed to mental illness."
Others said, "Why do people like you single out the Maoris for topics of research - what makes them so special?" and "They [Maori] only represent about 10 per cent of the population, for God's sake."
One psychiatrist said services were appropriate, but Maori did not use them.
"Medication is the answer, but they just don't take their pills. If cannabis was prescribed, I'd bet they'd bloody take that."
The survey organisers - psychologist and Auckland University lecturer Dr John Read and Maori MA psychology student Kelly Johnstone - say the responses are racist and of grave concern.
In a paper printed in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, they ask: "Is the belief that a particular race is more genetically or biologically predisposed to 'madness' than other races any less racist than the belief that a race is genetically/biologically inferior?
"This alarming finding raises questions about the effectiveness of procedures for selection into professional training programmes to screen out applicants with overtly racist attitudes."
None of the female psychiatrists surveyed shared the beliefs of the group of 28 experienced men - and neither did men with less experience.
The paper says Maori mental health has deteriorated considerably over the past 40 years.
Before 1960, non-Maori hospital admittance rates were higher than for Maori but by 1974 that had reversed.
Maori now comprise up to 60 per cent of people in psychiatric institutions and up to 50 per cent of people in the criminal justice system, the paper says.
Dr Read told the Herald no evidence backed the biological-genetic theory.
He said it was "a typical racist explanation for why Maori are doing so badly in so many areas."
"It's convenient for Pakeha to have those attitudes because then we don't have to accept any of the responsibility."
Dr Erihana Ryan, one of five Maori psychiatrists practising in New Zealand, said she was saddened but not surprised by the views.
"Without discussing it with the individuals concerned I'm loath to use terms like racism, because it just adds to the provocation of the environment.
"I think it's very limited, and I think it's not very useful in terms of clinical practice.
"I also think it indicates a lack of willingness to consider there may be a different perspective.
"I have no doubt that those people concerned don't consider themselves to be racist."
She said many of her colleagues accepted that understanding the mental health needs of Maori required them to consider cultural aspects as well as the standard psychiatric consideration.
But she had met people who dismissed this concept "and who are not prepared to practise in that way."
Dr Nick Judson, secretary of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, said there was no excuse for the racist comments, and social issues were far more likely to affect Maori mental health.
But it was encouraging that no recent graduates shared the view.
Racism shock in survey of psychiatrists
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