Mental Health of Refugee Children and Youth: Epidemiology, Interventions, and Future Directions

Abstract

The number of refugee youth worldwide receives international attention and is a top priority in both academic and political agendas. This article adopts a critical eye in summarizing current epidemiological knowledge of refugee youth mental health as well as interventions aimed to prevent or reduce mental health problems among children and adolescents in both high- and low-to-middle-income countries. We highlight current challenges and limitations of extant literature and present potential opportunities and recommendations in refugee child psychiatric epidemiology and mental health services research for moving forward. In light of the mounting xenophobic sentiments we are presently witnessing across societies, we argue that, as a first step, all epidemiological and intervention research should advocate for social justice to guarantee the safety of and respect for the basic human rights of all refugee populations during their journey and resettlement. A constructive dialogue between scholars and policy makers is warranted.

The Effects of a Reading-Based Intervention on Emotion Processing in Children Who Have Suffered Early Adversity and War Related Trauma

“…Additionally, most interventions focus on symptomreduction: much less is known about targeting psychological resilience and affective development -an approach which might be particularly beneficial to refugee children (Panter-Brick et al, 2018;Yaylaci, 2018;Foka et al, 2020). As the number of scalable, cost-effective interventions involving training lay volunteers, schoolteachers, and community workers increase and become more accessible (Fazel, 2018), it is important to develop programs which incorporate varied approaches and which are developed for younger children (Yaylaci, 2018;Frounfelker et al, 2020).…”

Refugee Mental Health, Global Health Policy, and the Syrian Crisis

“…Others have sounded calls for research in high income countries to focus on several particular issues, including task-shifting approaches that rely upon peer-led interventions, telepsychiatry and e-mental health interventions, and more basic science investigating the neurobiological mechanisms involved in the treatment of PTSD ( 91 ). There is also a need for more work on developing effective interventions for displaced women and children ( 9 , 93 ).…”

“…Refugee women are also at a greater risk for intimate partner violence ( 81 ), which is also associated with risk of mental disorder ( 82 ). Reviews have confirmed the harmful effects that conflicts and forced migration can have on children and adolescents, as well as their caregivers ( 9 , 83 ). In fact, a younger age at time of migration may put refugees at greater risk of mental health difficulties ( 7 ), and there appears to be a dose-response relationship between trauma exposure and severity of PTSD in children ( 84 ).…”

“…Although research on refugee mental health has only recently gained momentum, the emerging evidence describes high rates of mental disorder associated with trauma, stress, and cultural isolation due to forced migration, often met by a lack of adequate resources (7)(8)(9)(10). While the available evidence on the mental health of Syrian refugees and IDPs remains incomplete and fragmentary, reports from multilateral agencies and NGOs point to high prevalence rates and a glaring scarcity of mental health services within countries impacted by the crisis (11,12).…”

The role of culturally responsive social and emotional learning in supporting refugee inclusion and belonging: A thematic analysis of service provider perspectives

“…Acculturative stress may be exacerbated by the receiving community, through microaggressions or discrimination, and by the heritage community, when some members disapprove of an individual’s process of change [ 9 ]. In the U.S., newcomers from the MENA region, in particular, may encounter identity-based discrimination, such as Islamophobia and anti-Arab sentiment, while also being subject to racialization [ 10 , 11 ]. Additionally, refugees with prior exposure to armed conflict and forced migration may continue to suffer from prior adverse life events, such as witnessing violence, family separation, and protracted displacement [ 12 , 13 ].…”