Past areas of work
Project's end: Martin Molloy, Te Pou (left) and Samson Tse, Auckland University, relax at a party to celebrate the end of the "Training and developing real skills in Asian mental health" project.
Asian Mental Health Training and Development for Real Skills
In 2003-2004, researchers at the University of Auckland School of Population Health developed a Cultural Awareness Training Programme to help mental health professionals better respond to the needs of Asian people.
Early in 2006, Te Pou contracted UniServices to deliver four two-day workshops on the training programme in four main centres.
During 2007, Te Pou worked with Auckland University to develop a programme that aimed at training and developing real skills in mental health for undergraduate health professionals. See the key personnel in this project.
The Asian Mental Health Training and Development for Real Skills programme was established using modern computer technology and the experience accumulated from previous mental health workforce training. The work involved a needs analysis with training establishments, service user and clinician consultation and discussion with experts in many areas of Asian mental health and teaching.
The programme's name and logo was developed by a young Asian designer in consultation with the Ministry of Health, and they link strongly with the Ministry of Health's Let's get real project.
In November 2007, the prototype programme was taken out to the training establishments, where it was accepted as an excellent resource for both teachers and students alike.
Following the launch of the Asian Mental Health Education CD in 2007, 11 tertiary education institutions from around the country have been involved in trialling the training tool within their respective health programmes.
These programmes have included nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, social work and mental health support work. The introduction of a training tool specifically focused on Asian mental health has been well received by both teachers and students who have had the opportunity to utilise the CD.
Feedback has included:
"It really is a very good guide and straightforward introduction for practitioners.
"I used the first story, depicting loneliness of an Asian woman, leading to an extra-marital affair. This was to give the students an understanding of "what it's like being from a different culture living in New Zealand..." The lesson plan was a follow on from Maori mental health to "Other Cultures/Cultural Diversity" and its impact on mental health. The class said the overall awareness of what/how loneliness impacted on this Chinese lady was overwhelming... so the content of the CD rated exceptionally high with my class."
Overall, the Asian Mental Health Education CD has received positive feedback and generating growing awareness among future health professionals about the importance of understanding the needs of Asian people experiencing mental health issues.
If you would like to find out more about the CD or would like a copy of the resource, please contact Amritha Sobrun-Maharaj at Auckland University.
Read about the key personnel involved in the project, the phase one report, or the final report.
Page last updated: 15 April 2009