Refugee young people have been identified as a group with high risk for mental health problems, due to their experience of trauma, forced migration, and stressors associated with settlement. A high prevalence of mental health problems is reported in this group, however some research suggests refugee young people have low rates of mental health service access. There is little information available on barriers and facilitators to mental service delivery for this group. Using data from 15 focus groups and five key informant interviews with a total of 115 service providers from 12 agencies in Melbourne, Australia, this paper explores barriers and facilitators to engaging young people from refugee backgrounds with mental health services. Eight key themes emerged: cultural concepts of mental health, illness, and treatment; service accessibility; trust; working with interpreters; engaging family and community; the style and approach of mental health providers; advocacy; and continuity of care. © 2015, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

youth Barriers Service utilisation Mental health Facilitators Young people Refugee

information processing refugee mental health service Australia mental health human community Refugees Professional-Patient Relations Patient Advocacy Mental Health Services qualitative research human relation health personnel attitude interview Confidentiality Young Adult Humans psychology Trust Adolescent Interviews as Topic male female patient referral cultural factor refugee background young people Article adult family relation health care access patient attitude Cultural Characteristics Focus Groups attitude to health mental health care personnel Health Services Accessibility health care delivery