Immigrant Mothers' Perspectives of Barriers and Facilitators in Accessing Mental Health Care for Their Children. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tulli, Mia; Salami, Bukola; Begashaw, Lule; Meherali, Salima; Yohani, Sophie; Hegadoren, Kathleen
• Is Part Of: Journal of transcultural nursing. Volume 31:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 598
• Page End: 605
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: adolescents -- qualitative -- migration -- refugees and asylum seekers -- transnationalism; Transcultural nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Health attitudes -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/1043659620902812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-6596

Abstract

Introduction: Data on immigrant and refugees' access to services in Canada typically focus on adult populations generally but not children specifically. To fill this gap, this study explored immigrant and refugee mothers' perceptions of barriers and facilitators for mental health care for their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.Method: In this qualitative descriptive study, researchers conducted 18 semistructured interviews with immigrant and refugee mothers who live in Edmonton, self-identify as women, and have children living in Canada.Results: Barriers included financial strain, lack of information, racism/discrimination, language barriers, stigma, feeling isolated, and feeling unheard by service providers. Facilitators included schools offering services, personal levels of higher education, and free services.Discussion: Nurses can improve access to mental health services by addressing issues related to racism within the health system, by creating awareness related to mental health, and by providing trained interpreters to help bridge barriers in communications.