Issues in Mental Health Nursing
2019

Perceptions Toward Mental Illness and Seeking Psychological Help among Bhutanese Refugees Resettled in the U.S. (Article)

MacDowell H. , Pyakurel S. , Acharya J. , Morrison-Beedy D. , Kue J.*
  • a College of Social Work/College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
  • b Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH, United States
  • c Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH, United States, Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Columbus, OH, United States
  • d College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
  • e College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States

Abstract

This study examined perceptions toward mental health and seeking psychological care among Bhutanese refugees in a large Midwestern U.S. city. Bhutanese adults (n = 201) completed a community health needs assessment. Survey questions addressed beliefs toward mental health and seeking psychological care. Perceptions toward mental illness and receiving psychological help were generally negative among participants. Over 71% believed others would look unfavorably on a person who sought out a counselor. Participants who had less than a high school education, were 35 years and older, and lived in refugee camps for more than 20 years had significantly greater negative beliefs toward mental illness. Over one-third (34.8%) of participants reported access to counseling services as being somewhat of a problem or a serious problem. These findings may inform future research and interventions aimed at improving mental health among Bhutanese refugees. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074022909&doi=10.1080%2f01612840.2019.1646362&partnerID=40&md5=a5a3b31ecdea84f4f334db07a6059426

DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2019.1646362
ISSN: 01612840
Original Language: English