Improved visibility and resources key to improving Asian mental health

Community leaders attending the inaugural Asian Mental Health and Wellbeing Summit in Auckland on Wednesday have called for improved visibility and resources to improve Asian mental health.

Almost 200 participants attended the first edition of the summit, which was organised by the Asian Family Services.

Kelly Feng, chief executive at Asian Family Services, hoped the summit would shed some light on barriers that existed in the mental health sector.

"The demographic population is changing," Feng said. "The huge service gap is there from top down, bottom up, every level, so they really need to think ahead in the strategy level and funding level, [and consider] how to address those challenges and look at solutions for the future."

The 2021 New Zealand Asian Wellbeing and Mental Health Report found that 44.4 percent of Asians exhibited symptoms of depression, with the rate particularly high among younger Asians at 61.3 percent.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey believed there was a lack of mental health and addiction support in the Asian community.

Doocey called on members of the audience to share suggestions on ways that support networks could be strengthened.

"What we can find with people is that if they don't see themselves or identify with the services," he said. "Quite often that can be a barrier for people to reach out for help.

"That's why it's important that we look to support more Asian mental health and addiction services, as well as growing a culturally competent workforce as well that can connect with the Asian community and support them in getting the help they need."

Doocey said a lot of solutions to mental health issues were already in the community - "we just need to identify them and elevate them".

Melissa Lee, minister for ethnic communities, helped to launch a series of videos of New Zealanders from different Asian backgrounds sharing their experiences.

Dubbed the "Flourishing Asian Community Resource", the series aimed to make migrants feel less isolated, as they would see others who had experienced similar things before them.

"I think understanding that it is not something strange ... that this is actually a pathway and experience that will actually only make them stronger and for them to actually realize that they don't have to be alone, but there is a lot of help out there," Lee said.

People at the summit were divided into different groups to discuss policy, research, lived experiences, services and community.

Many participants supported the idea of having a national strategy to tackle Asian mental health, improved pathways of submission, better advocacy, better resourcing, funding and representation of Asian populations at leadership.

Asian Family Services also launched its Kia Ora Ake Service, which would provide school-based mental health assistance to young Asian New Zealanders in Counties Manukau.

Gaorui Wang, a Chinese senior who also attended the meeting, wanted the government to pay more attention to senior migrants who didn't speak English and were isolated.

"These seniors are often isolated and are at risk of developing depressed feelings," Wang said. "I hope the government can do more to help them."

Where to get help:

Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz

What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: 09 376 4155

OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.