Abstract:
This study develops the research question: the perspectives of mental health practitioners working with Chinese migrants in relation to mental health service delivery and accessibility. The study draws the attention of practitioners to Chinese people, who consist of one of the minor ethnic groups in New Zealand, and provides an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on their current cross-cultural practice. Many previous studies have focused on the barriers that prevent Chinese migrants accessing mainstream mental health services. This study is particularly interested in the perspectives of mental health practitioners towards Chinese migrants as service users. Ten participants were recruited and attended individual one-hour, semi-structured interviews. The main concepts and themes drawn from the interview transcripts are presented in the findings. The migration journey is a significant life transition for Chinese migrants, which brings a lot of changes. The lower utilization rates of Chinese people in mental health care are associated with many factors, such as socio-demographic backgrounds and culturally related factors such as shame and discrimination, different perceptions of mental health/illness, and use of traditional Chinese medicine. These attitudes and behaviours of Chinese migrants towards mainstream mental health services are rooted in traditional Chinese culture and differ from those of the host society. Filial piety, as one of the significant concepts of Confucianism, provides us with new perspectives in understanding the help-seeking behaviours of Chinese people. This study has involved ten mental health practitioners, seven of whom are social workers, with specialized knowledge, skills, years of experience and capabilities for working with Chinese people. Participants have here reflected on the strengths, and challenges and the limitations involved in working with Chinese people. Some recommendations have been outlined for improvements in future mental health practice involving Chinese people.