How do migration, culture, identity, family expectations and wider system barriers shape the mental health and addiction experiences of Asian communities in Aotearoa New Zealand? More importantly, what does culturally responsive care look like in everyday practice?
This webinar introduces Asian Family Services’ Integrated Tree Model©, a culturally grounded framework developed to support Asian mental health, addiction and wellbeing practice. Using the metaphor of a transplanted tree, the model helps practitioners understand how a person’s roots, trunk, branches and surrounding environment interact to influence wellbeing, distress, coping and recovery.
Rather than presenting the Integrated Tree Model© only as a theory, AFS will share how it is being applied through its dedicated Asian mental health and addiction services, highlighting practical lessons for culturally responsive frontline care.
This webinar is jointly hosted by Community Research and Aotearoa Migration Research Network (AMRN).
Presenter bio
Dr Kelly Feng MNZM is the Chief Executive of Asian Family Services, New Zealand’s leading provider of culturally responsive mental health, addiction, gambling harm and social services for Asian communities.
Originally trained as a medical doctor in China, Kelly migrated to New Zealand in 2002 and later requalified as a registered social worker. She brings a unique combination of clinical insight, social practice, lived migration experience and cultural leadership to her work.
Under her leadership, Asian Family Services has experienced significant growth and transformation, expanding school-based mental health services, developing workforce equity initiatives, and pioneering innovative digital responses to gambling harm. Kelly has also led national research initiatives and is a strong advocate for embedding Asian voices and perspectives in policy, strategy and service design.
Her leadership is recognised nationally through appointments to government advisory groups and sector panels. In 2023, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Asian communities.
