Breaking the Silence: Mental Health in Polynesian Communities | Mele Kanuch (Part 1)

Send us Fan Mail⏱ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS0:00 We Don’t Talk About This… (Hook)0:58 Welcome to Pulse of Polynesia1:20 Meet Mele Kanuch (United Minds)2:05 Mele’s Background & Upbringing3:30 Why Mental Health Isn’t Talked About4:11 “Brush It Under the Rug” Culture5:32 The “Happy People” Myth6:50 Suppression → Anger, Addiction, Self-Harm7:44 Suicide Rates in Our Communities8:45 Mele’s Story Begins9:18 Her Daughter’s Autism Diagnosis10:04 Facing It Alone & Family Pushback11:08 Becoming Her Daughter’s Advocate11:43 Using TikTok to Educate & Heal12:09 Growing Up Without Affection14:04 Crystal’s Story: Learning to Show Love15:40 When Mele Saw the Signs16:54 Feeling Different Growing Up18:03 Psychology, Awareness & Recognition18:57 Protecting Her Daughter’s Identity20:29 Misdiagnosis in the Islands21:30 Bringing Knowledge Back Home21:52 Mental Health Is Real22:14 A Mother’s Words That Changed EverythingSome conversations are long overdue.In Part 1 of this powerful episode of Pulse of Polynesia, we sit down with Mele Kanuch, founder of United Minds, to unpack the reality many in our communities quietly carry—mental health stigma, identity, and healing.From cultural expectations to personal struggles, this is a conversation about what we don’t say… and what it’s costing us.Watch. Reflect. Share.📢 FOLLOW PULSE OF POLYNESIA📺 YouTube: @pulseofpolynesia📘 Facebook: Pulse of Polynesia🎵 TikTok: @pulseofpolynesia📸 Instagram: @pulseofpolynesia💼 FEATURED GUEST – Mele KanuchFounder of United Minds🌐 https://www.unitedmindsco.com/☕ SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf this episode meant something to you and you’d like to support:💰 CashApp: $pulseofpolynesia💜 Venmo: @pulseofpolynesia“If you’d like to help keep our lights on or buy us a coffee, we truly appreciate you.”🙏 CREDITSHost: Leaso FiloialiiCo-Host: Crystal SteffanyGuest: Mele KanuchProduction: Pulse of PolynesiaSupport the show