Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 202, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 209-216

Congolese and Somali beliefs about mental health services (Article)

Piwowarczyk L.* , Bishop H. , Yusuf A. , Mudymba F. , Raj A.
  • a Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, Boston Medical Center, 771 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, United States
  • b Boston University School of Public Health, MA, United States
  • c Somali Development Center, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Congolese Women's Association of New England, Lynn, MA, United States
  • e Boston University School of Public Health, MA, United States

Abstract

Despite high levels of traumatic exposure, refugees often do not seek mental health services upon resettlement. The purpose of this study was to examine both concepts of mental illness in addition to attitudes and beliefs about treatment as well as potential barriers to accessing mental health services. To that end, qualitative research was done using focus groups with Congolese and Somali men and women in the United States (n = 48) in addition to a community survey with women from those communities (n = 296) administered by staff of a community-based organization. Mental health concerns, although identified, were often dealt with first in the communities themselves with the help of family or friends. Great emphasis was placed on their respective communities of faith. The actual role of mental health professionals was not well understood, and there was apparent hesitancy to use services, which also relates to issues of stigma. Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

Author Keywords

Somali Congolese mental health services Refugees Mental health treatment

Index Keywords

refugee mental health service mental health human friend middle aged health belief Congo Mental Health Services qualitative research Mental Disorders mental disease United States Young Adult Humans family Adolescent male female Social Stigma Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice emotional stress Article adult Somalia attitude to health Focus Groups Culture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84896893749&doi=10.1097%2fNMD.0000000000000087&partnerID=40&md5=aecfee06247ced4faa53a25b4dc311b7
DOI: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000087
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English