The mental health of former refugees in regional Australia: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective:To examine the resettlement experiences of former refugees living in regional Australia, focusing on mental health and mental health and support services, including barriers to access. Design: A phenomenological approach utilising a combination of six qualitative, semi-structured, face-to-face focus groups (n = 24) and seven individual interviews.Data were analysed thematically using NVivo 10 software. Setting: Launceston, Tasmania.Participants: Adult and youth former refugees from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Iran, and essential service providers, residing in Launceston. Main outcome measures:Participants were asked about experiences of resettlement and mental health. Results: Participants reported that their mental health had improved since resettlement; however, major stressors impacted mental health and resettlement included employment and housing access and mastering the English language. Past experiences continued to impact current functioning, with trauma commonly experienced intergenerationally through parenting and attachment and ongoing trauma and feelings of guilt and responsibility experienced with families left behind. Participants noted barriers to accessing services: (a) Language difficulties including lack of interpreters; and (b) lack of culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practices. Discrimination was experienced through the inconsistent provision of interpreters and lack of due consideration of cultural and religious differences. The use of children as interpreters enhanced several risk including miscommunication of medical information, exposure to age-inappropriate information, and the resulting increased risk of trauma for the child. Conclusion: Culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and discrimination-free practices should be employed across services, where Western-views surrounding this medical model are not imposed, cultural differences are respected, and timely access to interpreters provided. |SMITH eT al.

Young people’s advisory groups in health research: scoping review and mapping of practices

“…From these, 15 of the 21 studies confirmed they included a YPAG [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] ; the remaining 6 either did not use a YPAG (n=3) [28][29][30] or had YPAG members who were all aged over 18 years (n=3). 31,32,33 For the six studies where authors did not respond, we assumed a YPAG was used based on information provided in the paper. [34][35][36][37][38][39] The final number of 21 studies comprises 5% of all 420 studies.…”

Individuals of refugee background resettled in regional and rural Australia: A systematic review of mental health research

“…Identified symptomology included depression, 12,26 chronic levels of stress and somatisation, 27 and trauma-based symptoms stemming from pre-settlement events, resulting in worry, guilt and feeling out of control. 15,18 The intergenerational impact of trauma on the family unit was also highlighted as a factor contributing to negative mental health outcomes in refugee populations resettled in regional locations. Parents within the family unit were not in a 'safe space' following resettlement, with a constant concern regarding access to basic needs, including access to food, and generalised concerns about their futures.…”

“…16,17 A failure to understand and effectively manage both the nature and development of refugee mental health issues in these contexts and the factors that compound them will likely magnify the complex mental health challenges experienced by individuals of refugee backgrounds. 18 The current review aimed to identify, analyse and synthesis research focusing on the mental health of individuals of refugee background resettled in regional locations of Australia. To the authors' knowledge, a review of this kind has not been completed; therefore, this review aimed to provide clarity surrounding the current body of literature and identify gaps and key areas of future research, rather than answer a specific research question.…”

Promoting healthy futures in a rural refugee resettlement location: A community-based participatory research intervention

“…Asked to suggest solutions to improve healthcare services, participants expressed a strong desire for healthcare providers to not only understand what it means to be Karen and from a refugee background, but to be willing to engage in culturally appropriate ways with the healthcare concerns that were being raised (Smith, Reynish et al, 2019). The most common suggestions for achieving this goal included providing longer consultation sessions, better interpreters, culturally significant and welcoming symbols and practices, and/or having Karen-background healthcare providers.…”