Markus Koesters1,2, Corrado Barbui2,3, Marianna Purgato2,3. 1. Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany. 2. Cochrane Global Mental Health. 3. WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review provides an overview of key issues and concepts on the provision of mental healthcare to refugees with mental health conditions. RECENT FINDINGS: Several barriers to mental healthcare for refugees have been described, and principles for good mental care in this group have been framed. Evidence for specific interventions for refugees is available for trauma-related mental health problems. The best evidence is available for psychosocial interventions for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. SUMMARY: The worldwide increase in the number of refugees and the substantial burden of psychological distress and mental health problems associated with this condition has led to an increased research and policy interest for optimizing the provision of effective mental healthcare. To date, with the exception of trauma-related conditions, there is almost no evidence on the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for anxiety and depressive conditions, and there is no information on how mental healthcare should be embedded into existing health and social care services. Existing research and implementation activities will hopefully contribute to better characterize the effective components and elements of mental healthcare programmes for refugees.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review provides an overview of key issues and concepts on the provision of mental healthcare to refugees with mental health conditions. RECENT FINDINGS: Several barriers to mental healthcare for refugees have been described, and principles for good mental care in this group have been framed. Evidence for specific interventions for refugees is available for trauma-related mental health problems. The best evidence is available for psychosocial interventions for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. SUMMARY: The worldwide increase in the number of refugees and the substantial burden of psychological distress and mental health problems associated with this condition has led to an increased research and policy interest for optimizing the provision of effective mental healthcare. To date, with the exception of trauma-related conditions, there is almost no evidence on the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for anxiety and depressive conditions, and there is no information on how mental healthcare should be embedded into existing health and social care services. Existing research and implementation activities will hopefully contribute to better characterize the effective components and elements of mental healthcare programmes for refugees.
Authors: G Turrini; M Purgato; C Acarturk; M Anttila; T Au; F Ballette; M Bird; K Carswell; R Churchill; P Cuijpers; J Hall; L J Hansen; M Kösters; T Lantta; M Nosè; G Ostuzzi; M Sijbrandij; F Tedeschi; M Valimaki; J Wancata; R White; M van Ommeren; C Barbui Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Date: 2019-02-11 Impact factor: 6.892
Authors: Kerstin Spanhel; Eva Hovestadt; Dirk Lehr; Kai Spiegelhalder; Harald Baumeister; Juergen Bengel; Lasse B Sander Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-02-23 Impact factor: 4.157