New Zealand-Born Pacific Peoples More Vulnerable To Mental Illness, Alcohol Dependency
7 November 2007, New Zealand Drug Foundation
New Zealand-born Pacific peoples are twice as likely to suffer from mental disorders, and experience higher rates of
alcohol dependency, compared with those born in the Pacific says a leading Pacific psychiatrist.
Dr Siale 'Alo Foliaki is a graduate of Otago Medical School and one of only three psychiatrists of Pacific descent
working in New Zealand.
Speaking to the combined Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) and Cutting Edge Addiction
Conference in Auckland today, Dr Foliaki said there was no one reason for this discrepancy between Pacific peoples born
in New Zealand and those who migrate here after the age of eighteen.
"The younger the age at which they migrate to New Zealand, the higher are their chances of suffering from alcohol
addiction and mental health problems."
Dr Foliaki believes this major finding suggests there are two very different Pacific populations in New Zealand - that
will experience two very different life trajectories in relation to not only drug and alcohol problems but their overall
mental wellbeing.
"Migrant indigenous Pacific peoples face enormous challenges as they transition from third world islands to first world
countries. They appear to be more resilient if they spend their childhood years in the Pacific before migrating to New
Zealand. If they grow up in New Zealand, they seem to be more vulnerable," he said.
Dr Foliaki suggests the best approach would be to focus on Pacific children growing up in New Zealand from their birth
through to their sixth birthday.
"This is the time interventions have the greatest impact on people's long-term wellbeing. Pacific babies and children in
this country are at great risk of long-term psychological problems because of the combination of socio-economic
deprivation and cultural fragmentation."
The research was carried out as part of Te Rau Hinengaro - the New Zealand Mental Health Survey - which is the largest
mental health and substance disorder survey ever undertaken in New Zealand. The survey highlights the significant
differences in rates of alcohol abuse and dependence (and to a lesser extent drug abuse/dependence) between Pacific
peoples and the total New Zealand population.
The conference is on from Sunday 4 November - Wednesday 7 November at the Aotea Centre, Auckland.
ENDS