Comparing and contrasting Tongan youth and service users’ interpretations of mental distress

Abstract

Background: In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), Pacific people have a higher prevalence of mental illness compared with the general population. Tongan people have high rates of mental illness and tend to not use mental health services. The risk for mental illnesses also differs between those born in Tonga and those born in NZ.
Aim: This study presented the views of New Zealand-dwelling Tongan youth and mental health service users regarding the meaning of mental distress.