Beyond Stigma: Barriers to Discussing Mental Health in Refugee Populations

Shannon, Patricia J.; Wieling, Elizabeth; McCleary, Jennifer Simmelink; Becher, Emily

doi:10.1080/15325024.2014.934629

Cited by 110 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Previous studies2,41,42 highlighted the behavioral symptoms of mental health issues. A pattern of consensus can be found in all these studies regarding the existence of deviant behavior specifically revealing irrelevant talk, inappropriate behavior, and self-talk, self-laughter, and crying as some major behaviors identified as abnormal.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beliefs and perception about mental health issues: a meta-synthesis

Choudhry

Mani

Ming

et al. 2016

NDT

161

113

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BackgroundMental health literacy is the beliefs and knowledge about mental health issues and their remedies. Attitudes and beliefs of lay individuals about mental illness are shaped by personal knowledge about mental illness, knowing and interacting with someone living with mental illness, and cultural stereotypes. Mental health issues are increasing and are alarming in almost every part of the world, and hence compiling this review provides an opportunity to understand the different views regarding mental disorders and problems as well as to fill the gap in the published literature by focusing only on the belief system and perception of mental health problems among general population.MethodThe methodology involved a systematic review and the meta-synthesis method, which includes synthesizing published qualitative studies on mental health perception and beliefs.SampleFifteen relevant published qualitative and mixed-method studies, regarding the concept of mental health, were identified for meta-synthesis.AnalysisAll the themes of the selected studies were further analyzed to give a broader picture of mental health problems and their perceived causes and management. Only qualitative studies, not older than 2010, focusing on beliefs about, attitudes toward, and perceptions of mental health problems, causes, and treatments were included in this review.ResultsThe findings are divided into four major categories, namely, 1) symptoms of mental health issues, 2) description of mental health issues, 3) perceived causes, and 4) preferred treatment and help-seeking behavior. Each category contains themes and subthemes based on published studies.ConclusionThe findings reveal multiple causes of, descriptions of, and treatment options for mental health problems, thereby providing insight into different help-seeking behaviors. Clarity is offered by highlighting cultural differences and similarities in mental health beliefs and perceptions about the causes of mental health problems. The implications of the studies and recommendations based on current findings are also discussed.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beliefs and perception about mental health issues: a meta-synthesis

Choudhry

Mani

Ming

et al. 2016

NDT

161

113

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“…Furthermore, cultural differences can make discussing mental health issues especially difficult [11,12], despite the fact that mental health conditions in refugees are common. Traumatic events -including those endured during war, having been forced to flee their homelands, and adverse experiences while living in refugee campsput many refugees at higher risk for developing serious mental health disorders.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining Physical and Mental Health Conditions Present in Older Adult Refugees: A Mini-Review

Frost¹,

Morgan²,

Allkhenfr³

et al. 2018

Gerontology

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In 2017, there were over 65 million displaced persons at the global level, with approximately 23 million of these people living as refugees around the world. In this same year, the US resettled 53,716 refugees, with the State of Utah receiving 954 of those refugees. Refugees, in general, often face health-related challenges upon resettlement. Since the health of aging refugee men and women is of growing concern, host communities face significant challenges in accommodating the health needs of a diverse refugee population. This study, a review of physical and mental health data from the Utah Department of Health, was undertaken in an effort to ascertain the prevalence of health conditions among refugee men and women 60 years and older arriving in Utah. Findings include information on diseases correlated with increasing age, such as hypertension, decreases in vision, arthritis, and low back pain, which are common among this population of refugees aged 60 years and older. Overall, most of the health conditions assessed affect women and men with a similar prevalence. Some notable exceptions are a history of torture and violence, and a propensity for tobacco use. When dealing with refugee men older than 60 years, providers should consider the psychological ramifications of having endured such atrocities, as well as introduction to evidence-based tobacco cessation programs. When working with refugee women of the same age, an increase in the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and urinary tract infections should be considered.

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“…However, research suggests that refugees are 10 times more likely than the general population to have PTSD and PTSD, depression and substance use have been found to be the most common mental health conditions in populations exposed to mass conflict and displacement (Delker & Freyd, 2014;Fazel, Wheeler, & Danesh, 2005;Steel, 2009). More specifically, researchers have reported various symptoms of PTSD and depression in trauma-exposed refugees, including separation anxiety, worrying, poor concentration, disorientation, flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, violent outbursts, crying, anhedonia, suicide attempts and using substances for coping (Dupont, Kaplan, Verbraeck, Braam, & van de Wijngaart, 2005;Shannon et al, 2015;Tay, Rees, Kareth, & Silove, 2016).…”

Section: Review Of the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many are exposed to extreme stress and multiple traumatic events such as forced migration, torture, rape, injury, starvation and/or the witnessing of the death of friends and family members (Lambert & Alhassoon, 2015;Palic & Elklit, 2011). Further, refugees are also likely to experience an array of new stressors during travel and upon their arrival in new countries, including separation from family and friends, exposure to disease, refugee camps, problems assimilating in new cultures, difficulty obtaining asylum status, housing problems and social isolation (Lambert & Alhassoon, 2015;Shannon, Wieling, McCleary, & Becher, 2015).…”

Section: Review Of the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This population may not speak English well, or at all, and may have additional unique barriers, including: educational deficits, problems accessing services, cultural differences that impact treatment, stigma and fear associated with mental health issues and treatments, lack of confidence in treatment, fear of being perceived as unstable, a desire to hide mental health symptoms, and lingering effects from political oppression (Hinton, Rivera, Hofmann, Barlow, & Otto, 2012;Shannon et al, 2015). Shannon and colleagues (2015) further assert that those who have experienced trauma from political strife and oppression may have difficulty talking about their experiences and symptoms, and they may require more time to trust and feel safe.…”

Section: Treatment and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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