Mental health literacy for refugee youth: A cultural approach

Abstract

Mental health problems affect one in five youth today, according to several research estimates (Bourget and Chenier, 2007; Jorm et al, 2008; Wile Schwartz, 2009). Effective treatments are available; however, research indicates that less than half of those with a mental health problem access mental health services (Pinto-Foltz et al, 2011; Marcus and Westra, 2012). Of those who seek treatment, scholars link factors such as lack of information, accessibility and mental illness stigma to premature termination (Pinto-Foltz et al, 2011). Thus, as a group, young people have a high rate of unmet mental healthcare needs. Mental healthcare needs, however, are even more urgent for refugee youth and those who have experienced forced migration. The world is currently facing a global refugee crisis. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there are over 16 million refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2016), and more than half that population is under the age of 18. Researchers have found that traumatic experiences in their home countries, the stress of forced migration and the challenges of relocation are associated with higher rates of mental health problems among refugee youth as compared to non-refugee youth (Colucci et al, 2015). Healthcare and education professionals have been advocating for an increased focus on culturally relevant mental health education and interventions that are specifically tailored for refugee and immigrant youth (Whitley et al, 2013). Moreover, mental health practitioners and researchers have recommended that teachers, counsellors and other adults who work with youth acquire the knowledge and skills to support them to seek help for mental and emotional difficulties (Pinfold et al, 2005).