Dr Jason Spendelow’s inbox has been inundated this week with messages from fellow Kiwis.

“A lot of them have talked about a sense of alienation from their country and that has been a source of increased distress,” he tells Newshub.

Dr Spendelow is a clinical psychologist from Te Awamutu, and in the 10 years he’s been in the UK, he hasn’t seen such vitriol aimed at expats.

“When you’re distressed and really struggling with the pandemic and being away from home, certainly those kinds of comments, however many there are, aren’t going to be helpful,” he says.

On top of that, expats who return home for less than three months must pay for compulsory quarantining – $3100 if you’re by yourself, or $5000 for a family of four. It’s a financial burden, and now a mental health burden.

“What I have been doing is saying ‘If you’re struggling, come to me and I’ll try sign-post you and point you in the right direction’, as a way to volunteer a bit of my time to help people out,” Dr Spendelow says.

But he can’t treat everyone and with NHS services clogged, Kiwis will have to pay for treatment themselves.

“It’s sad and it’s heartbreaking for everyone,” he adds.

Dr Spendelow recognises those in New Zealand have sacrificed a lot as well, and will for some time – he’s just urging some empathy for those living abroad.

“When we look back at this situation in 10 years’ time and see this as an event, what do we want to say about how we treated each other?” he asks.

“I think a bit of compassion would go a real long way, for all of us.”

All six million Kiwis, no matter where in the world they are.