Objective: Older Chinese people in New Zealand underutilise mental health services. Lack of recognition of mental health issues and awareness of available treatment is a potential barrier to accessing care. This study investigated depression literacy in older Chinese people.
Method: A convenience sample of 67 older Chinese people were presented a depression vignette and completed a depression literacy questionnaire.
Results: There was a good rate (71.6%) of depression recognition, but no participant chose taking medication as the best method of help. There was a notable level of stigma among participants.
Conclusion: Older Chinese people would benefit from information regarding mental health conditions and their interventions. Strategies to deliver this information and de-stigmatise mental illness in the Chinese community which incorporate cultural values may be beneficial.
Keywords: Chinese; mental health literacy; older people.