Background
Hong Kong is non-signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and has no systematic domestic policies committed to the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees (ASRs). This creates a tenuous setting for African ASRs there. This study explored how mapped social determinates of health has impacted the mental health and wellbeing of African ASR’s in Hong Kong.
Introduction:
A Lottery Health Research grant enabled the development of an ethnic specific dietary assessment tool for NZ South Asians. This study describes the process and outcomes of this research.
Abstract
The growth of migrant communities continues to rise globally, creating unique and complex health challenges. Literature on immigrant health in New Zealand (NZ) remains scant. This integrative literature review was conducted drawing on peer-reviewed research articles on immigrant health in NZ published between 2012 and 2018.
Abstract
Objective
There is a paucity of health-related research on older Asian immigrants in New Zealand.The aim of this review was to critically examine literature on the health and well-being of this population group.
Methods:
An integrative literature review was conducted from December 2017 to February 2018.Online databases searched were Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL and the Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre.
Results:
Two themes were identified: Firstly, the “challenges stemming from an unfamiliar environment” faced by older Asian immigrants, and secondly, their “strategies for adjusting to a new home.” These themes suggested how participation in community and leisure activities, as well as adapting their outlook on life, contributed to these older migrants’ health and well-being within a New Zealand context.
Conclusion:
A multitude of challenges in maintaining health and well-being confronted these older Asian immigrants; nevertheless, they created strategies to respond and positively influence their health following later-life migration.
Asians in Aotearoa New Zealand have a diverse variety of ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures, and thus have diverse health needs. Asians are NZ’s fastest growing ethnic group it was recently announced that the Asian population is projected to reach 26% by 2043. So it’s increasingly important that their health issues are not overlooked.
Although the health of Asians in NZ appears to be generally good there are in fact many unique health issues. This includes the particular health needs of different Asian ethnicities and subpopulations, including youth, women, older people, new migrants, and refugees and asylum seekers.
Utilisation of services is particularly concerning. Major barriers include racism and discrimination, English language proficiency, cultural ifferences, lack of awareness of services, and lack of appropriate services. Where appropriate services are available there
is insufficient capacity.
However, this does give rise to many opportunities a national plan or strategy would give a consistent approach to Asian health for the whole of NZ and could provide a good framework for more targeted services, increased culturally appropriate workforce increased engagement and accessibility, and an improvement in Asian inclusive public health research and data collection. Addressing mental health for Asians in NZ is a key priority.
We migrated from China to Aotearoa 20 years ago and we have lived in Auckland since then. We are an average Asian family.
In 2021, my 15 years old daughter S could not get up to go to school and she was sleeping up to 20 hours in a day. Her GP advised some medicine, but we rejected it several times. At the same time, we monitored the pattern and found out she experienced this excessive sleeping during her period. Her GP prescribed some medicine for this. However, the medication caused severe side effects including crying and low mood. We were so worried and confused.
Early in 2022, my daughter started a part time job while experiencing sleepiness. She still could not go to school around her period time. She was referred to see a mental health doctor by her new GP. The medicine this time helped her, but she relapsed after an Easter party where she drank some alcohol. This led to her emotions becoming more intense and she could not sleep for several days and did not eat anything. Eventually, she has some row with me, and police involved. Police took her to hospital and Oranga Tamariki has been contacted. The professional thinks I abused my daughter. I was so shameful and worried at that time and my mental health is also affected. I don’t know why this happened to me and my family. I am lost.
My daughter was admitted to hospital, where she was given a range of medications, but it did not work. When she left hospital, she was still in difficulty. Meanwhile, we were contacted by different mental health professionals. Aftera conversation with me and my daughter, the psychiatrist in Kari Centre suggested talk therapy and ending anti-depression medication. A nurse also took my daughter out to chat over coffee. These catch-ups were very helpful towards her recovery.
As a mother, I too have been supported bya Chinese social worker from Asian Support Service (Kahui Tu Kaha), who shares thesame language and culture. She listens to my frustration and worry, and confusion too. Shesupported me in communicating with various health professionals including Oranga Tamariki and better understanding New Zealand healthand social service system.
In 2023, my daughter turned 18 years old, and she is in a better place now. She has part-time work while studying at Auckland University. From 15 to 18, she experienced immense emotional change, low or high. We still don’tknow if it is normal for an adolescent. We try tofocus on how to deal with the problem.
When reviewing the journey, I learnt a lotas a mother. First, do not hesitate to seek professional help for mental health (seeking a second opinion is also important). Second, keep an open mind to learn and grow up with our children in a different culture. Lastly, the support from health service providers with culturally and linguistically appropriate services play a vital role in our recovery journey.
