BACKGROUND: New Zealand has recently experienced a massive and rapid influx of Asian migrants. The Asian population has doubled in 10 years and is now the third-largest ethnic group. MATERIALS: Databases reviewed include Medline, NZ government reports and NZ media releases. DISCUSSION: Despite the significant growth in the Asian population, most of whom are in a vulnerable age group for mental morbidity and are exposed to adverse experiences, accurate and systematically obtained information on the mental health of Asians is lacking. CONCLUSION: This paper argues for a need to conduct a well-designed epidemiological study on the mental health needs of Asians in New Zealand. Recommendations on how to pursue this epidemiological study are provided.
BACKGROUND: New Zealand has recently experienced a massive and rapid influx of Asian migrants. The Asian population has doubled in 10 years and is now the third-largest ethnic group. MATERIALS: Databases reviewed include Medline, NZ government reports and NZ media releases. DISCUSSION: Despite the significant growth in the Asian population, most of whom are in a vulnerable age group for mental morbidity and are exposed to adverse experiences, accurate and systematically obtained information on the mental health of Asians is lacking. CONCLUSION: This paper argues for a need to conduct a well-designed epidemiological study on the mental health needs of Asians in New Zealand. Recommendations on how to pursue this epidemiological study are provided.