Refugees' families should be allowed in: health expert

The Government should relax immigration laws to allow in the extended families of refugees, says a visiting mental health expert.

A tight definition of family as only immediate biological relatives was contributing to the growing burden of refugees experiencing psychological problems in New Zealand, said African Mental Health Council president Isaac Mwendapole.

He was in Wellington yesterday for a refugee mental health workshop.

Loss of identity contributed to psychological problems for refugees leaving behind their culture, family and homeland, said Mr Mwendapole.

One refugee at the workshop was from a family of 12 children. Now in New Zealand with his wife and children, he was struggling to adapt.

Africa faced huge burdens in coping with 30 per cent of the world's refugees, Mr Mwendapole said. But New Zealand faced different challenges, such as cultural gulfs and perceived racism, with black refugees believing every refusal or problem was because of their race.

Initiatives such as the Wellington Refugees As Survivors Centre were doing a great job, but more were needed, he said.

World Federation for Mental Health official Peter McGeorge said mental health services were too often an afterthought. New Zealand should focus more on families and community-based support.

The country had come a long way in 10 years, but there was still a long way to go, said Dr McGeorge. More money was needed for support networks and community projects.

- NZPA