Listening to refugees: How traditional mental health interventions may miss the mark. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitschke, Diane B; Praetorius, Regina T; Kelly, Don R; Small, Eusebius; Kim, Youn K
• Is Part Of: International social work. Volume 60:Number 3(2017:May)
• Page Start: 588
• Page End: 600
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Maslows hierarchy of needs -- mental health -- needs -- refugees -- resettlement; Social service -- Periodicals; Social problems -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Community development -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1177/0020872816648256
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-8728

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of mental health of recently resettled refugees is an essential component of any comprehensive resettlement program, yet establishing the components of a successful and acceptable mental health intervention is an elusive task. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 resettled refugees from five countries who had received treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, or anxiety. Themes generated from the interviews emphasized the need for strong group-based social support as well as a focus on practical needs such as acquiring and maintaining employment, language and literacy training, and access to care.