Advocates for Asian mental health are pleading with the government for a targeted national policy as the number of Asians needing help soars.
Official figures reveal a 82 percent increase for Asians seeking help at the Waitemata DHB - from just over 1100 cases to more than 2000.
Counties Manukau DHB saw a 34 percent jump and at the Auckland DHB, there was a 41 percent increase, reaching more than 2800 referrals this year.
The lack of national response towards Asian mental health has already been highlighted in October by the Suicide Mortality Review Committee.
Kelly Feng from Asian Family Services has worked in the mental health space for the past 17 years.
She told RNZ reporter Jessie Chiang it's been very challenging.
