Public Health Reports
Volume 120, Issue 3, 2005, Pages 224-229

Findings from mental health screening of newly arrived refugees in Colorado (Review)

Savin D.* , Seymour D.J. , Littleford L.N. , Bettridge J. , Giese A.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, Univ. of Colorado Hlth. Sci. Center, Denver, CO, United States, Univ. North Pavilion, Box AO11-15, 4455 E. 12th Ave., Denver, CO 80220, United States
  • b Department of Family Medicine, Univ. of Colorado Hlth. Sci. Center, Denver, CO, United States
  • c Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States
  • d Colorado Dept. Pub. Hlth./Environ., Denver, CO, United States
  • e Department of Psychiatry, Univ. of Colorado Hlth. Sci. Center, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

States are required to provide a public health screening for all newly arrived refugees in the United States. In 1997, a comprehensive program was created to include both a physical examination and a mental health screening. This article provides a complete description of the mental health screening process, including two illustrative cases, and reports information about the refugees who participated in the program. Ten percent of screened refugees were offered mental health referrals; of those, 37% followed up. Refugees who presented for treatment reported a higher number of symptoms upon screening compared with those who were offered referrals but did not follow up. Psychiatric evaluation confirmed that those who screened positive and presented for treatment were experiencing a high level of suffering and qualified for mental health diagnoses. The findings support inclusion of a mental health screening as part of the public health screening. ©2005 Association of Schools of Public Health.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

evaluation priority journal patient referral major clinical study psychiatric diagnosis health program Review refugee mass screening symptom United States mental health human adult
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-18244388949&doi=10.1177%2f003335490512000303&partnerID=40&md5=827a29743083f0abb29f9832bca527ee
DOI: 10.1177/003335490512000303
ISSN: 00333549
Cited by: 34
Original Language: English