Mental Health of Intracontinental Asian Migrant Communities: Understanding the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations Through a Case Study of ASSIST in South Korea

Abstract

Background In many Asian countries such as Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Nepal, Philippines, and Indonesia, governments lack the funding to address mental health, giving rise to scarcities in mental health services and large inequities in resource allocation amongst the socially disadvantaged, which include migrants and those living in rural areas. This study aims to understand the role of non-governmental organizations in addressing the mental health of intracontinental Asian migrant communities in various host Asian countries. Methods The first part of the study outlines and categorizes different types of intra-Asian migrant mental health NGOs that provide different forms of support through treatment, community care, research, training and capacity development, and education. The second part of the study presents a qualitative case study of two South Korean NGOs, ASSIST and Asian-Maeul: Migrant Community Center. The two NGOs have partnered to provide mental health support for intracontinental Asian migrant communities in South Korea. The study discusses results from semi-structured interviews of 3 migrants and 2 NGO personnel that have engaged with the NGOs. Results & Discussion Our research demonstrated that an integration of the treatment care, rehabilitation model and community-based prevention programs would provide a sustainable, community-centric model for mental health support in the long-term. Lack of funding and targeted information towards migrants were key limitations to this approach. Conclusion Further research needs to be conducted to better understand and analyze the role of NGOs in providing mental health support and services for migrants. With improved awareness of migrant community needs, communication with migrant communities, and implementation of new directions and programs, opportunities for mutual collaboration and improvement will arise between NGO providers, local migrant communities, and hospital service providers.