Twenty-nine-year-old Chinese-born Lee [1] migrated to Australia with her family in 1990. She lives with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and social phobia. Lee’s first language is Cantonese, but she does not communicate much due to her conditions and the effects of medication. Lee lives with her family who support her full time. Without any respite, caring for Lee who has plateaued in her recovery journey has been exhausting for her family.

However, when Lee started attending the outings of the Chinese Consumer Group run out of the Ryde Community Mental Health Service in north-west Sydney, things began to change…

Twelve Chinese mental health consumers living in the Ryde local area attended the first Chinese Consumer Group meeting in June 2004. Initiated by Area Vocational Services Coordinator, Marianna Wong, the group is open to all Chinese consumers in the area. Every week the group meets for a language class to practise both Chinese and English. A common activity is to learn English words to express how they are feeling to their doctors. One member of the group grew up in New Zealand; he comes along to learn Chinese from the other members and in turn help others out with their English.

The group members now mainly coordinate the activities of the group. Working within the framework of recovery, the group in a short period of time has been an example of the possibilities for consumers to be empowered and to empower each other in a cohesive and socially supported environment.

The motivation for the group’s development came from the high percentage of people of Chinese descent living in the area. (Approximately 19% of residents speak Cantonese and 9% speak Mandarin.) However, there were no recovery services catering to this group’s cultural and linguistic needs.

‘Consumers who do not speak fluent English often find it difficult to access services and integration into the programs available,’ said Mrs Wong. Australian mainstream approaches are not effective in supporting the recovery of people from Chinese descent. ‘We had to find other ways of supporting this group. People over the age of 40 are not forthcoming about their illness or experiences, you have to ask the right questions to get the answers you are looking for,’ added Mrs Wong.

The issue of stigma associated with a mental illness is very influential in people from Chinese backgrounds seeking support. Many consumers who are from Chinese descent receive private mental health support and miss out on rehabilitation and recovery programs. ‘There are a lot of misunderstandings about the side-effects of medication because often Chinese families don’t know the questions to ask doctors. Personal relationships are very important; the members now ring each other to encourage attendance at the weekly and monthly activities,’ said Mrs Wong.

The opportunity to interact with others increases one’s confidence, social skills and experiences of fun. Lee has first-hand knowledge of this. At a BBQ organised by the consumers for one of the monthly outings, Lee started throwing a ball with others, ate with the group, and was even seen initiating a conversation with group members.

The Chinese Consumer Group’s Honorary Patron is Dr Richard Wu, a Consultant Psychiatrist in private practice.

[1] Name has been changed.