Contexualising Ethnic Minority Youth Mental Health in Aotearoa New Zealand

Ethnic minority youth (i.e. those identifying with Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and African origins) make up about 20% of New Zealand’s youth population. Drawing on transdisciplinary research, this presentation will focus on social marginalisation (and resilience) that shape and challenge the mental health of minority communities. Using the intersectionality framework, we will explore how heterogeneity in the lived experiences of ethnic minority youth is shaped by multiple layers of (dis)advantages that impact their mental health and wellbeing. Understanding these dimensions can enable the development of culturally responsive policies and practices.

Presenters

The webinar is delivered by the University of Auckland’s Thriving at Crossroads team (T@C). T@C is a Health Research Council-funded project exploring how varying social identities and affiliations of ethnic minority youth (including migration generation, gender diversity, religious affiliations etc.) intersect with health and wellbeing, including the impacts of racism and discrimination.

Dr Roshini Peiris-John is Associate Professor in Epidemiology, co-Director of the Centre for Asian and Ethnic Minority Health Research and Evaluation (CAHRE) at the University of Auckland, and Asian/ migrant lead of the Adolescent Health Research Group leading the Youth2000 national secondary school surveys.

Dr Vartika Sharma is a Senior Lecturer in the Section of Social and Community Health. Her research programme is focused on understanding mental health needs of ethnic communities, including leading a Health Research Council-funded project to build community-led interventions to better support the mental health of ethnic minority youth.

Nikki Singh is a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, School of Population Health, researching autoimmune disease and identity for young adults in Aotearoa. Her research and work endeavours have covered Fiji-Indian dual identities, sex selection and gender bias for migrant women in Aotearoa, intersectionality, FASD, sexual violence prevention, safe spaces for ethnic minorities, and exercise initiatives for communities living in low-income areas.

Facilitator: Bev Tso Hong | Kaitūhono, Ethnic Research Engagement Lead, Community Research