MENTAL HEALTH

THE Maori language is an ancient one, but in 2017 a new word was added as part of a mental health programme.Takiwatanga means autism in Maori. It also means, “in his or her own space and time.”

It’s a beautiful and hopefully helpful concept for a situation so many of our fellow citizens are living with; one that, if we all adopted it, would ease many lives.

What’s to stop us extending the courtesy? After all, our own space and time is all any of us have.