RASNZ Auckland Regional Refugee Mobile Team

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Refugee / migrant

Regions

East Auckland, South Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

Referral Types

Self referral, GP, DHB clinical services

Referral Process

Criteria for Eligibility
Adults, children and families from refugee backgrounds who experience mental health related issues.

Description

Resettlement can be a long-term process and there is often a need for continued mental health and wellbeing support once refugees begin to rebuild their lives in the community. The RASNZ Mobile Team provides longer-term therapy support for former refugees, convention refugees and asylum seekers resettled throughout the wider Auckland region. There is no “cut-off” date for this service and former refugees can access the Mobile Team even years after they arrive in New Zealand.

The role of the team is to provide specialist assessments, counselling, psychiatry, psychological treatment, family therapy, advocacy, and community support for refugees who experience mental health problems. Services assist clients to overcome past trauma, and to enhance their wellbeing in resettlement in order to better build new lives in New Zealand. To overcome language barriers and deliver culturally responsive treatment, the Refugee Mobile Team provides trained interpreters and community link workers who understand the culture and language of clients.

The Family Service, operating under the umbrella of the Mobile Team, works to ensure that families from refugee backgrounds flourish as they settle and become part of the wider Auckland community. A major focus of the Family Service is collaborating and building capacity within refugee communities and mainstream services.

Referrals to the Mobile Team can be made by the Māngere Team, GPs, schools, police, lawyers and community mental health services. Individuals from a refugee background can also self-refer. All Mobile Team services are free of charge, with funding provided through a collaborative partnership between CMDHB, Foundation North and the UN Fund for Victims of Torture.