PALOMA project – developing National mental health policies for refugees

Abstract

IntroductionEarlier researches have established that migrants with refugee background have increased risk for variety of mental health problems due to often traumatic reasons for leaving their home country, hazardous journey and post-migration adversity. The challenge is that mental health work with refugees is not systematically organized in Finland. PALOMA (developing National mental health policies for refugees 2016-2018) project was launched to answer these challenges. The project is carried out through the combined effort of National institute for health and welfare, The Finnish association for mental health, Helsinki and Kuopio university hospitals, and the municipality of Hämeenlinna. PALOMA Project is founded by the Asylum, migration and integration fund (AMIF).ObjectivesPALOMA project focuses on exploring existing good practices and weaknesses in mental health services in use for refugees. The objectives of the project are to develop a national model for effective mental health services for refugees and implement it nationwide in Finland.AimsThe aim of PALOMA Project is to develop a national model for effective mental health services for refugees in Finland.MethodsPALOMA Project includes three phases: data collection (interviews, literature review, seminars), building the model in expert groups and implementing the model.ResultsAs a result of PALOMA Project, there will be guidelines for professionals working in different levels of administration with refugees in Finland.ConclusionRefugees’ mental health and wellbeing will be improved as a result of better prevention, recognition and appropriate care of mental health problems.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.