Mental health support for Pacific climate change migrants

Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath, co-head of Te Wānanga o Waipapa, the School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland, has received a Pacific Project grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) to explore how New Zealand could ready its health system to best support the mental health needs of Pacific 'climate change migrants'.

Her study will involve research sites in New Zealand, Niue and the Cook Islands. "Very few people in the Pacific region will be unaffected by climate change, particularly as half the population live within 1.5 kilometres of the ocean. Rapid rises in sea level, more severe cyclones and floods, and changes to seasonal weather are all occurring in the Pacific and are attributed to climate change," she says.

"Migration is an indirect impact of climate change. One estimate is that 75 million people from the Asia-Pacific region will be forced to migrate by 2050 because of it. Much of the health research done to date has largely focused on the physical health problems associated with climate change — the mental health impacts have only recently been recognised."

Dr Tiatia-Seath says Pacific peoples forced to relocate will likely be at higher risk of mental health issues brought on by cultural loss and the stress of climate-induced migration.

"An understanding of this issue in New Zealand's mental health sector is vital. Mental health services will need to cater to Pacific climate change migrants in culturally-inclusive ways and recognise the new challenges that migration and forced relocation will bring to the already visible barriers to mental health access for Pacific peoples."

HRC manager of Pacific research investment, Tolotea Lanumata, says this study is very timely as the Government has made looking at the impacts of climate change a priority.

"Climate change is predicted to have a substantial negative effect on global mental health. This study gives New Zealand the chance to get on the front foot and prepare our health system for the mental health challenges that climate change will likely have on Pacific communities."

Dr Tiatia-Seath will receive $589,691 over 36 months for her study: Climate change and mental wellbeing: The impacts on Pacific peoples. Her grant is one of four Pacific project grants worth a combined total of $2.37 million. These form part of an $81 million investment in new research projects and programmes, announced today by Minister Megan Woods.