PPmP Psychotherapie Psychosomatik Medizinische Psychologie
Volume 58, Issue 3-4, 2008, Pages 123-129

Mental health care for migrants [Versorgung psychisch kranker patienten mit migrationshintergrund] (Review)

Lindert J. , Priebe S. , Penka S. , Napo F. , Schouler-Ocak M. , Heinz A.*
  • a Social and Community Psychiatry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London
  • b Social and Community Psychiatry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London
  • c Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
  • d Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
  • e Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
  • f Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Schumannstraße 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Background: Global migration and the increasing number of migrants to Europe and Germany diversify the needs in the psychosocial and health care system. Migrants are a heterogeneous group as regards their country of emigration, reasons for migration and legal status. Aims: We aim to give an overview on 1) mental health of migrants in Germany, 2) cultural associated explanatory of addictive behaviour, 3) utilisation and help-seeking behaviour migrants with particular regard to addicted migrants, and on 4) barriers within the psychosocial care system. Results: Studies on migration, mental health and utilisation of psychosocial institutions especially of institutions for addicted persons show inconsistent results. The results may be conflicting because of the methods used (e.g. small sample size, variety of methods, studies on clinical populations, studies without control-groups, monoethnic studies) or because of differences between populations. Therefore, the comparability of results is limited. Migrants use health and psychosocial care institutions differently from non-migrants. Barriers within the psychosocial care system may be caused by uncertainty of learned behaviour of members of staff how to treat migrants or by institutional barriers. Conclusion: Our findings show that empirical studies on mental health of migrants are still rare. Further specific investigations are needed to get an in-depth understanding of migrants' mental health and their pattern of psychosocial and health care utilisation to modify responsiveness of services. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.

Author Keywords

Barriers Care Migrants Mental health Addictive behaviour

Index Keywords

Germany mental health service Europe human Professional-Patient Relations priority journal Substance-Related Disorders Mental Health Services psychosocial environment mental health care Health Services Needs and Demand Mental Disorders Humans Emigrants and Immigrants Review cultural factor health care utilization migration addiction Patient Acceptance of Health Care health care system Cultural Characteristics Health Services Accessibility Culture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-44049092671&doi=10.1055%2fs-2008-1067360&partnerID=40&md5=7968161b910fcd28d08fb902cff4d2f1
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1067360
ISSN: 09372032
Cited by: 26
Original Language: German