COVID-19 affected many aspects of life for Pacific Peoples. The mental and physical health of many people was already strained before COVID-19 arrived in the country. The pandemic added to existing problems by providing stress from:
- job and income loss
- problems with housing
- fear of infection
- education challenges
- the costs of accessing technology for information and healthcare support.
During the pandemic, many Pacific Peoples have felt unable to access the healthcare they needed or to get support for their mental health concerns. These problems have all put extra stress on the Pacific community.
COVID restrictions made it more difficult to gather for funerals, adding to the grief experienced. Many people all around New Zealand have had to miss important events and mourn the loss of their loved ones in different ways.
Why COVID-19 hit Pacific communities so hard
The main reasons relate to COVID-19 being easily spread in situations where Pacific Peoples people live, work and connect. This is despite most of the Pacific population being double vaccinated by February 2022.
How have Pacific Peoples responded?
Pasifika communities rallied to care for each other by:
- maintaining stronger community connections, bonds of trust and religious identity (Christian) than New Zealanders as a whole
- coming together to support each other, with community groups, churches, and other local agencies helping those who were struggling.
Some of the problems experienced in providing support were that some Pasifika families didn't want to ask for help due to a concern that others needed it more. Some also didn't know where to go to get help.
However, COVID-19 has affected you or those you know, it's important to know that there is help available if you need it. It's OK to accept help so you can feed and clothe your family and support your mental health at this challenging time.
