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Kayla Schwalger, co-founder of Tapasā and one of this year’s Y25 trailblazers, recently sat down with Jesse Mulligan on Radio New Zealand to share her story. In the interview, Kayla discussed her personal journey with mental health, the significance of reconnecting with her Samoan culture, and the role of Tapasā in empowering Pacific youth to embrace their heritage.
Kayla’s upbringing was marked by challenges, and during her teenage years, she faced her own mental health struggles. Moving from New Zealand to Samoa for her high school and early university years, she felt the absence of mental health support services, which led to a decline in her well-being. After returning to New Zealand at 20, she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a moment she described as “validating” and critical to her healing journey.
In the interview, Kayla emphasized how reconnecting with her cultural roots became a source of strength:"When the connection to your culture is strong, you’re able to ground yourself in who you are."
Kayla and her mother co-founded Tapasā, a charitable organization that serves as a “navigation compass” for Pacific youth. Through Tapasā, they work to uplift young people by encouraging them to see their culture as a superpower, and helping them reconnect with their Pacific roots.
For many young Pacific Islanders in Aotearoa, growing up often means feeling disconnected from their cultural heritage. Tapasā seeks to change that narrative by promoting cultural identity and offering a support network for youth. Kayla pointed out that many Pacific youth are eager to understand their heritage better, and social media has become an essential tool for this cultural rediscovery. Her thesis on mental health in the digital age even highlighted how social media is helping to shift mental health stigma in Samoa.
Kayla’s interview also underscored Tapasā’s commitment to fostering generational change. The organization aims to create spaces where elders can pass on their cultural knowledge in ways that resonate with today’s youth, ensuring they are “absolutely strong” in their identity now and in the future.
The Y25 platform has amplified Kayla’s voice, and she’s using it to champion the importance of mental health and cultural connection for Pacific youth. With her work at Tapasā, she’s helping to pave the way for future generations to feel empowered, grounded, and proud of their Pacific heritage.
For the full interview click the link below:
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