An Integrative Review of Community-Based Mental Health Interventions Among Resettled Refugees from Muslim-Majority Countries

Abstract

Resettled refugees from Muslim-majority countries are underrepresented in research and meeting their mental health needs remains a challenge for countries of resettlement. In this integrative review, we synthesize community-based mental health interventions using an ecological framework. Eleven relevant studies were identified using PubMed and PsychInfo database. Most interventions focus on micro-system level factors like promoting integration and social connections suggest improvement of outcomes including depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. Studies suggest how mental health programs addressing psychosocial wellbeing improves outcomes across ecological levels through: (1) early screening upon resettlement; (2) education and raising awareness of mental health; and (3) engagement of refugees in local community social support systems. Largely qualitative studies suggest benefits of engagement and education program for refugees, but there is a need for high quality, rigorous mental health intervention studies with resettled refugees with explicit attention to equitable and collaborative partnerships across multiple sectors in the community.

Addressing the mental health needs of older adult refugees: Perspectives of multi-sector community key informants

“…The age of migration and increased length of stay among foreign-born adults are both factors that contribute to mental health disparities ( Castañeda et al, 2015 ). Additionally, refugees who have resettled in the U.S. since the 1980s are now aging in the U.S. and have a unique need for support to promote successful integration in a new country ( Siddiq et al, 2022 ). Established literature identifies better mental health among foreign-born adults than US-born adults ( Alegría et al, 2017 ).…”

“…The Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder services, but coverage varies greatly. Community-based mental health care, such as outpatient care, day treatment, supported employment and housing, case management, and counseling, is available, but little emphasis has been placed on prevention, early screening, treatment, and mental health resources tailored to the needs of the broader refugee population, particularly older adults ( Siddiq et al, 2022 ). The UNHCR’s Policy on Older Refugees promotes efforts to ensure the participation and well-being of older refugees, and host governments and the international community can provide resources to meet the unique needs of this population (UNHCR, n. d.).…”

“It Is Definitely a Good Program for Everyone from Every Community”: A Qualitative Study of Community Partner Perspectives on the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Mindfulness Program

“…We recognise that the CALD Mindfulness Program is only one of a growing number of psychological interventions that have been shown to improve mental health and wellbeing in migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker populations [ 58 , 59 , 60 ]. Other studies conducted among Arabic-speaking adults in Western countries support the use of culturally tailored interventions based on cognitive behaviour therapy (often including a trauma-focused component), problem solving and mind–body techniques such mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ].…”

Community resilience among Ukrainian refugees: what is the role of the host community in recovery from forced migration?

“…To address these traumatic factors, from an ecological and multilevel perspective, the community, with its resources, can become a protective factor ( 15 ). Among other definitions, in the psychological context, community has been defined as a group of people who share the same values and interests and have similar experiences and needs ( 16 ). Concerning community protective factors in forced migration, it is possible to refer to both the migrant community and the host community.…”