Lay summary
In 2018, 17% of New Zealand (NZ)’s population consisted of individuals identifying with Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, or African ethnicities with more than three quarters of them born overseas. Ethnic minority youth (EMY) in NZ report significant rates of poor mental health (MH) with risk factors related to experiences of racism, colourism, poor body image, and a lack of belonging. Furthermore, MH is often highly stigmatised in these communities, leading to poor help-seeking behaviours. Thus, many migrant families find it challenging to support their EMY as they navigate their lives in NZ.
Creating a family environment that acknowledges the lived experiences of EMY and provides support to mitigate the MH risks is a crucial step in addressing the MH crisis in NZ. In this study, a resource co-created with migrants will offer parents relevant and reliable means of support for EMY as they navigate complex and challenging life circumstances.