University brightens Chinese mood

Researchers at the University of Sydney have requested participants for a new online program to treat Chinese-Australian adults suffering from depression.

Based on a successful model created for Australians and operating through the Virtual Clinic website the ‘Brighten your Mood’ program aims to teach sufferers of depression to recognise and deal with their symptoms.

Ms Isabella Choi, a post-graduate research student from the School of Psychology, is developing the program in collaboration with the University of New South Wales and St Vincent’s Hospital.

She told City News there is a lack of programs aimed at addressing the issues of depression, anxiety and other mental issues in the large Chinese-Australian community in Sydney.

“Chinese are the largest ethnic group in Australia but less than half of them with depression actually seek treatment,” she said.

“There is a huge amount of stigma attached to these issues in the Chinese-Australian community.

“And due to the language, access and cultural barriers to only a small percentage of them actually receive treatments that prove to be effective.”

The program consists of six lessons over an eight-week period and access to Ms Choi through phone and email for guidance and support. Ms Choi said the response from the Chinese-Australian community had been positive and she hopes to have 80 participants before the study concludes.

“We have had about three to five enquiries a day since we started the program three weeks ago,” Choi said.

“The benefit is people are able to stay at home and still find out about these issues. It’s a big step forwards and it opens the door for them to start understanding what they are going through and getting help.”

All of the materials are written in both Chinese and English and all staff are fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

A participant from the Australian version of the program who requested not to be identified praised the programs realism and accessibility and said Virtual Clinic had helped them to begin dealing with their symptoms.

“I’ve been able to make small but positive initial ‘steps’ and these have provided a foundation for more positives,” they said.

“I am not deluding myself into thinking I have discovered my ‘miracle cure’ or such, but this program has really struck a chord with me.”

More information about Brighten your mood and the Virtual Clinic program can be found at www.virtualclinic.org.au

By Simon Black