Digital mental health tools are apps, websites, and platforms designed to support mental health and wellbeing. Fabi recognised through both personal experience and academic research that migrant groups often face challenges that require mental health support.

“I am a migrant myself and I have been living in New Zealand for six years now. I have faced several challenges and also people that I know have gone through that. Through research, I have noticed that there is a gap that would be useful for the population.”

Early findings from Fabi’s work suggest that as digital tools can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, participants are more inclined to use them. However, many migrants arriving to New Zealand are not aware of the mental health tools available to them here.

“They are very keen to use their phones because it is accessible, cheap, it’s easy but they also are not aware of tools that they could use here in New Zealand. They are aware of big commercial apps like Headspace and Calm but nothing specifically from NZ.”

Fabi joined the university as a research assistant in Te Wāhanga Tātai Hauora—Wellington Faculty of Health, which led her to realise the importance of digital tools for mental health.

“I was doing research about those digital tools as part of what has become SHEADI’s new Digital Mental Health Catalyst, and I noticed there was a possibility to go further deep into that research, specifically with migrants. So, I started doing a literature review and an online survey and interviews.”

Fabi’s findings so far also suggest that digital tools also offer a safe and anonymous option for migrants to access, and that many participants have experienced racism after moving to New Zealand, impacting their mental health.

“Another important finding that was surprising for me was the high level of racist experiences that people have faced in their lives here in New Zealand. Especially those with darker skin colour,” she says.

Fabi is passionate about taking a health psychology approach to health and wellbeing.

“I fell in love with health psychology because it has all the social concerns and structures, not only about behaviours or how your brain works,” she says.

“I’m also excited to be linked to the Digital Mental Health Catalyst and growing work in Digital Health at Te Herenga Waka.”

See our website for more information about Digital Health at Victoria University of Wellington.