Digital Mental Health Approaches to Improve Well-Being of Refugee Families.

Abstract

Refugee populations face disproportionately high risk for mental health challenges because of their exposure to geopolitical conflict, persecution, violence, and human rights violations. Dedicated, sustained psychological services are scarce in refugee contexts. Access to mental health treatment is limited by stigma and discrimination, linguistic and cultural barriers, and lack of privacy and confidentiality. Digital health approaches can increase access to mental health services in refugee contexts where need is high, mobile device infrastructure is common, and digital options may transcend contextual barriers. Tailored digital mental health interventions that may overcome barriers to mental health treatment among refugee populations are outlined.