Supporting Mental Health and Social Connection in Chinese‑Speaking Older Australians

People with limited English proficiency — particularly older migrants — are at higher risk of anxiety, depression and social isolation.

Language barriers and cultural differences can limit access to mental health services and reduce the effectiveness of care. These challenges are especially relevant for Chinese‑speaking older Australians, one of the largest and fastest‑growing older migrant communities in Australia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this community is expected to grow more than six times larger over the next four decades, increasing from about 65,000 people in 2016 to over 430,000 by 2056. This group makes important contributions to Australian society, including supporting family life through providing unpaid childcare and household assistance, and enriching the cultural and social fabric of the Australian community. At the same time, many Chinese‑speaking older Australians face significant challenges.

Migrating to Australia later in life can be highly stressful, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and loneliness — particularly for those with limited English-language proficiency.

More than 60% of Chinese‑speaking Australians aged 65 and over speak little or no English. Language barriers can make it difficult to access mental health services, delaying care and allowing symptoms of depression and anxiety to worsen. Many Chinese‑speaking older Australians find it hard to talk about their mental health concerns because it can feel shameful or reflect badly on themselves or their family. 

As a result, they often keep their struggles to themselves and delay or avoid seeking help. These barriers are a serious concern, as untreated depression and anxiety in older adults are linked to poorer physical health, including higher rates of heart disease, greater disability, increased health complications and an increased risk of dementia. Improving access to timely and culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health support is therefore critical to protecting both the mental and physical wellbeing of this growing community.

Because mental health stigma and language barriers often prevent older migrants from accessing formal mental health services, prevention and early support in community settings play a critical role. Community organisations, such as registered clubs, are well placed to support the mental health and social connections of Chinese‑speaking older Australians because they are familiar, local and trusted. 

Here are some examples of the ways clubs could empower Chinese-speaking older club members to maintain their mental wellbeing and stay socially connected:

• Normalise conversations about mental wellbeing by using plain language, potentially through community talks by bilingual community leaders or bilingual mental health professionals, as well as linking wellbeing to physical health and daily functioning in ways that feel familiar and relevant.
• Offer regular, culturally familiar group activities such as Tai chi, qigong, group dancing, mahjong, chess, calligraphy, singing, or gardening groups. Engage family where appropriate, recognising the central role of intergenerational relationships in many Chinese families, while still respecting older adults’ autonomy.
• Strengthen peer‑to‑peer social connection by supporting small interest groups, or regular social rituals (e.g. shared tea after activities), which help reduce loneliness over time.
• Offer information in Chinese language (simplified and traditional Chinese) about local mental health services as options people can use if and when they choose.
• Many of these initiatives can start small and build organically, drawing on existing activities and community members’ strengths rather than requiring new programs or specialist services.
• By investing in culturally and linguistically inclusive community spaces, clubs can further support healthy ageing, reducing preventable mental health burden and strengthening social cohesion across generations.
• About the Author:

Dr Jessamine Chen is a bilingual research fellow and senior clinical psychologist at the Macquarie University Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre. Her research is focused on improving the effectiveness and accessibility of psychological interventions for late-life depression and anxiety. She is also investigating the role of social connectedness and loneliness in later life in treatment response and mental health outcomes. Jessamine is passionate about enhancing equitable access to evidence-based psychological treatment for older migrants. She has been leading the evaluation of a culturally and linguistically adapted Chinese version of an English-language evidence-based treatment for late-life anxiety and depression. This program is now available through the Macquarie University Emotional Health Clinic.