Culturally Responsive Psychiatric Services for Refugee and Immigrant Adolescents: Are Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Prepared to Serve Refugee Children? A Focus on African Refugee Families

Abstract

The arrival of sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees (AIRs) to the United States has been steadily increasing for the past several decades. Not only are AIR adolescents directly affected by previous migration processes, but they are also impacted by stress and the mental health of their parents, even if they were born in the United States to immigrant/refugee parents. Immigrant and refugee parents concerned with their child's behavior and emotions should be evaluated by a qualified mental health professional, including licensed counselors, psychologists, and child and adolescent psychiatrists. However, access to culturally responsive psychiatric care for youth is limited. African adolescents are additionally burdened by their own acculturation process, balancing multiple cultural expectations as well as feelings of social isolation resulting from perceived racism and discrimination.

Clinician and academic perspectives on expressive arts therapy for refugee children and families: a qualitative study

“…Regarding directions and opportunities for mental health services, participants felt it was critically important for clinicians to be familiar with the cultural backgrounds of their clients. They also spoke about the value of having bilingual counselors and interpreter services, a finding which is well-supported by prior studies (BeLue et al , 2021; Salami et al , 2019). In addition, there is a need for family-based and caregiver-focused interventions that include the whole family.…”

“…They also spoke about the value of having bilingual counselors and interpreter services, a finding which is well-supported by prior studies (BeLue et al, 2021;Salami et al, 2019). In addition, there is a need for family-based and caregiver-focused interventions that include the whole family.…”