International Journal of Culture and Mental Health
Volume 10, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 185-196

Improving access to and engagement with mental health services among young people from refugee backgrounds: service user and provider perspectives (Article)

Colucci E.* , Valibhoy M. , Szwarc J. , Kaplan I. , Minas H.
  • a Global and Cultural Mental Health Unit, Centre for Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute for Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • b The Victoria Foundation for Survivors of Torture, Melbourne, Australia
  • c The Victoria Foundation for Survivors of Torture, Melbourne, Australia
  • d The Victoria Foundation for Survivors of Torture, Melbourne, Australia
  • e Global and Cultural Mental Health Unit, Centre for Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Limited research has been conducted worldwide on the experiences that children and young people from refugee backgrounds have with mental health services, despite evidence that they have significant vulnerability to the development of mental health problems and to suicidal behaviour and that those with mental ill-health typically underutilise services. The authors were particularly interested in barriers and facilitators to service access and engagement, and conducted two qualitative research projects to improve understanding of the issues–the first with service providers experienced in the refugee area and the second with young refugee service users. The aim of this project was to compare the perspectives of professionals and service users and to identify similarities and differences. The perspectives of the service users and providers were strikingly similar. The analysis identified 21 implications for policy makers, agencies and practitioners, which ranged from issues concerning cultural sensitivity, background matching and mental health literacy to accessibility, setting boundaries and expectations and implementing a holistic and outreach approach. There is a range of specific, practical measures that policy makers and service providers can introduce to enhance access to and engagement with mental health services for young people from refugee backgrounds. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

Barriers Utilisation Access Mental health service Facilitators Asylum seeker young refugee

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85011286200&doi=10.1080%2f17542863.2017.1279674&partnerID=40&md5=b706c797b8805244f19d6638e8270099
DOI: 10.1080/17542863.2017.1279674
ISSN: 17542863
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English