Accessible Mental Health Research Articles

Mental Health of Black Canadians: A Scoping Review.

Black Canadians frequently experience significant challenges when attempting to access mental health care, resulting in discrepancies in mental health outcomes. This article describes a scoping review that aimed to understand the range and nature of research conducted on the mental health of black Canadians and to identify the gaps in this literature. An established methodological framework guided the scoping review process. We searched research databases (CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science) and grey literature sources for peer-reviewed articles and grey reports on the health of black Canadians. Of the 14 121 articles screened, 43 were included in the review. Our review found spiritual support, resilience, collective culture, and culturally congruent support as facilitators of positive mental health of black people in Canada, while stigmatization, misconceptions, low uptake of mental services, and difficulties accessing mental health services were the most significant barriers. Strategies for improving the mental health of black people in Canada center on social, emotional, and community support. Our findings indicate the need for black stakeholder involvement in awareness creation and knowledge improvement, which will help to dispel the myths and misconceptions about mental health in black populations.

Healthcare workers’ perspectives on trauma and mental health access for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar

BackgroundIn August 2017, the Rohingya population of northern Rakhine State in Myanmar fled to Bangladesh following “clearance operations” by the Myanmar security forces that were characterized by widespread and systematic violence, constituting severe human rights violations. The “clearance operations” were preceded by years of consistent denial of the human rights of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. This study examines the impact of these human rights violations on the trauma experiences of Rohingya survivors, their resulting mental health, and the availability and access to post-migration mental health services.MethodsQualitative one-on-one interviews were conducted with 26 health care professionals who cared for Rohingya refugees after their arrival in Bangladesh.ResultsTrauma experienced by the Rohingya spanned the period before, during, and following migration and was ongoing at the time of data collection. The impact of Rohingya survivors’ concurrent grief and trauma in relation to the violence they experienced in Myanmar as well as during and after their journey to Bangladesh that, at times, exacerbated survivors’ trauma presentation. There were limited mental health services available in Bangladesh and additional structural and procedural barriers to care that limited responsiveness to Rohingya survivors’ mental health needs.ConclusionThe Rohingya experienced traumatic human rights violations in Myanmar that led to their forced migration to Bangladesh. The Rohingya continued to experience trauma during their forced migration to Bangladesh and were exposed to additional stressors in the post-migration settings in refugee camps, including lack of access to adequate mental health services. These experiences have resulted in a spectrum of stress-and trauma-related symptoms. These findings show the mental health impact of protracted human rights violations on the Rohingya, revealing how trauma is not a singular event but a continuous experience. Detailing the limited mental health infrastructure and structural barriers facing Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the findings underscore the urgent need for trauma-informed interventions that address the complex psychological consequences of systemic violence and displacement. The findings emphasize the critical importance of holistic mental health support in refugee settings, providing evidence-based recommendations for the public health and humanitarian sector to consider when designing programs to address the mental health and psychosocial support needs of sexual violence survivors living in conditions of displacement.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

New research reveals that North Dakota, Vermont, and Nebraska are the happiest and healthiest states in America, while West Virginia and Louisiana rank last for mental well‐being, according to Best States for a Mental Health Report, which ranks all 50 states on various factors that impact mental health and mental healthcare access. Released by Soliant Health, the report was commissioned to better understand the disparities in mental health support in communities and schools nationwide, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness each year. This comprehensive report aims to elevate the conversations about mental health and the crucial need for increased access to mental wellness services across the country, a news release stated. Soliant worked with healthcare professionals to consider a wider range of factors that impact mental health at all ages, in addition to factors regarding the ability to engage in good mental health practices. These factors include: The frequency of “poor mental health days” reported by the population, unemployment rate, participation in physical activity, disconnected youth rate, which is the percentage of teens and young adults aged 16–24 who are neither working or in school, and access to healthy foods.

Mental health and help-seeking behaviors among Mozambican youth: insights from a post-pandemic National Survey Amidst Internal Conflict.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among Mozambican youth aged 15-24 years, as well as their help-seeking behaviors. Data from 8,154 youth participants in the 2022-23 Mozambique Demographic Health Survey were analyzed. MDD and GAD were assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and mental health outcomes and health-seeking behaviors. The prevalence of MDD and GAD among Mozambican youth was 7.5% for each condition. However, only 9.3% of those with either MDD or GAD sought help for their symptoms, primarily from family and friends. Females had significantly higher odds of experiencing both MDD and GAD but lower help-seeking behavior as compared to males. Unemployment, lower household wealth, and being single were associated with higher odds of both disorders and lower odds of help-seeking behaviors. Higher education increased the odds of GAD and help-seeking behaviors. Significant regional variations were observed, with conflict-affected regions including Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Zambezia showing the highest prevalence of MDD and GAD. This study reveals substantial mental health challenges among Mozambican youth, with notable disparities across sociodemographic groups and regions. The low rates of help-seeking behavior underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve mental health awareness and access to services for socio-demographically vulnerable youth.

Caregivers’ Experience of Supporting Deaf Adults with Mental Health Disorders in Ghana

Background: Caregivers play a crucial role in the support and management of individuals experiencing mental health disorders; however, there is a paucity of research concerning the experiences of caregivers of deaf persons diagnosed with any form of mental disorder in Ghana. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of these caregivers, with a particular focus on their perceptions of mental health, available support systems, challenges encountered, and the consequent impact on familial relationships while supporting this underserved population. Method: This qualitative study engaged eleven family caregivers of deaf adults diagnosed with a mental health disorders made up of ten females and one male aged 45–68 years, recruited across four of the sixteen administrative regions in Ghana. Utilizing a semi-structured interview guide, face-to-face interviews were conducted to gather in-depth narratives from the participants. Results: Thematic analysis of the data revealed several key themes, including the awareness and understanding of mental health disorders, availability and accessibility of mental health support services and training, dynamics of psychosocial and familial relationships, and the multifaceted challenges faced in caregiving for individuals with mental health disorders. Conclusion: The findings underscored an urgent need for the development of a specialized caregiving manual tailored for caregivers of deaf individuals experiencing mental health disorders. This study advocates for policymakers to prioritize the creation of such resources to enhance care delivery and improve overall mental health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Where’s the help when you need it? Examining accessibility to mental health resources among law enforcement

ABSTRACT The current study investigates barriers to the accessibility of mental health resources among sworn law enforcement officers. Following Levesque and colleagues’ (2013) model of mental health accessibility, the study examines how factors such as the ability to perceive, seek, reach, pay for, and engage with care influence an officer’s ability to access resources. Utilizing a sample of sworn law enforcement officers from Kentucky and Virginia, data were collected through an online survey administered between November 2023 and February 2024. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed the most significant predictors of mental health accessibility to be the ability to seek and perceive care, both of which are influenced by occupational culture and mental health stigma. Officers’ fears of confidentiality breaches, being perceived as weak, and potential negative impacts on careers substantially reduced their likelihood of seeking help. Findings highlight policy implications, noting the need for administrative support, mental health screenings, and training.

AI for Mental Health Assessment and Intervention: A Systematic Review

Mental health-related illnesses are said to be the biggest global concern affecting millions of such persons worldwide with high rates of disability. Though the demand for services related to mental health has increased, there has been a cumulative lack of mental health professionals, trend most prevalent in low-resource areas. Well-designed Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a blessing in disguise for most people as it improves diagnostic accuracy, accentuates individualized therapy, and advances access to mental health services. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been offering innovative age-old solutions by enhancing mental health assessments, customized interventions, and accessibility. AI has been using different tools such as machine learning algorithms, AI chatbots, and wearable devices for mental health diagnosis, therapy, and monitoring. Nevertheless, the ethical issues regarding the use of such tools coupled with lack of user engagement and non-integration into existing health care systems are still existent. This review compiles different studies starting from 2024 until 2025 concerning the use of AI in mental health, examining feasibility, effective measures, and future possibilities for revolutionizing mental health care delivery.

Navigating trauma: Venezuelan women's and adolescent's experiences before and after migration amidst the humanitarian crisis.

Migrant and refugee women and adolescents are extremely vulnerable in humanitarian crisis and armed conflict contexts. The Venezuelan crisis has unleashed the largest exodus of migrants/refugees in recent Latin American history, most of whom have relocated to Colombia. There is a scarcity of research addressing the how adverse and traumatic experiences related to violence presents mental health amidst the Venezuelan-Colombian humanitarian crisis context and how it affects communities in relocation communities. This study sought to explore how traumatic experiences pre-, during and post-migration might relate to mental health risks for Venezuelan migrant and refugee women and adolescents and assess feasible mechanisms that can protect and promote these populations upon relocation in Colombia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 migrant women and adolescents, inclusive of cis- and transgender women in two Colombian cities using a participatory-action research framework. Key findngs suggest that parental abandonment in origin contexts, experiences of household and community violence before and after migration and structural barriers to access services are main factors impacting this population. Feasible strategies to promote and support wellbeing and better mental health access ought to include community leaderships and community-based support networks post-migration that can support trust in services, disseminate information and engage vulnerable groups in services.

How are patient inputs considered in HTA? A thematic document analysis of NICE ultra-rare disease appraisals.

Patient organisations are increasingly involved in HTA. Given this, it is important to understand what these organisations contribute and how their voices are accounted for in the decision-making process. This study characterises inputs from patient organisations and/or their nominated patient experts in technology appraisals for ultra-rare diseases in England and Wales and seeks to understand how these are considered in NICE final recommendations. We thematically analysed all HST appraisals completed between January 2022 and August 2024(N = 15). We appraised inputs from patient organisations' and experts' written submissions, the novelty of patient inputs, as well as financial ties between contributing organisations and the manufacturer of the technology being appraised. We compared themes identified with those found in the Final Evaluation Determination documents to understand how and to what extent patients' inputs were considered in NICE final recommendations. We found that patient submissions mainly focused on disease aspects (54%).Patients raised concerns on access challenges, caregiver burden, and mental health impacts. Most patient themes overlapped with manufacturers' submissions (82%) and doctors' testimonies (45%), with most novel insights focusing on access issues and mental health. Patient organisations reported receiving funding from the technology manufacturer in most appraisals, with amounts ranging from £5,000 to £74,113. Approximately half of patient inputs were explicitly mentioned in NICE final decision documents, with some considerations being neglected despite being raised by patients. While NICE incorporates many issues of importance to patients, there is room for improvement to ensure all aspects patients deem important are captured. Further research could pinpoint optimal areas for patient contributions and assess their impact.

Integrated Primary Care Mental Health Service: A Qualitative Exploration of an Integrated Approach to Supporting People with Significant Mental Health Problems in Primary Care.

Individuals with significant mental health problems (SMHP) have historically faced challenges accessing mental health care due to gaps between primary and secondary care services. The National Health Service (NHS) Long Term Plan aims to bridge this gap through the introduction of integrated primary care services that provide holistic, person-centred, multidisciplinary support for people with SMHP. This evaluation aimed to explore the experience of service users, carers and staff working within this new model of care. A qualitative approach was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with N = 123 participants (n = 106 staff, n = 15 service users, n = 2 carers). Thematic analysis identified three themes: 'opening doors and improving experiences', 'tailored and timely care' and 'connected communities'. Findings showed that the Integrated Primary Care Mental Health Service enabled earlier and easier access to mental health support for people with SMHP and supported community engagement and cross-collaboration between the NHS and partner agencies. The findings underscore the value of the Integrated Service in providing accessible, comprehensive, and person-centred mental health support at a primary care level, highlighting the benefits of cross-partnership working.

FASSLING: Transforming emotional and coaching support through artificial intelligence (AI) innovation

The global mental health crisis is compounded by barriers such as cost, accessibility, and stigma, leaving millions without adequate support. FASSLING (fassling.ai), an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform, addresses these challenges by providing free, 24/7 multilingual emotional and coaching support through text and audio interactions. Grounded in inclusivity and compassion, FASSLING bridges gaps in traditional mental health systems by offering immediate, non-clinical support while complementing professional services. This paper explores FASSLING's design and implementation, emphasizing its user-centered features, including cultural adaptability, trauma-informed care principles, and active listening techniques. The platform not only empowers users to navigate emotional challenges but also fosters resilience and empathy, creating a ripple effect of societal compassion. Ethical considerations, such as ensuring user privacy and managing the limitations of AI, are central to FASSLINGs mission. By integrating advanced AI technologies with psychological best practices, FASSLING sets a new standard for accessible and inclusive mental health support, positioning itself as a transformative tool for global well-being. This case study highlights FASSLING's potential to redefine emotional support systems and drive positive change in mental health care worldwide.

Predictors of recent mental health service utilization among firearm-owning US service members with high levels of psychological distress.

Service members with mental health difficulties and access to a firearm are at an increased risk for suicide. Mental healthcare providers are well-positioned to discuss firearms and create safety plans; however, many service members do not seek treatment. This study aims to identify potential sociodemographic predictors of recent mental healthcare utilization among firearm-owning service members who report past month distress. The sample included 268 US military service members. Participants reported whether they attended at least one behavioral health visit in the 3 months prior to participation. Females, individuals of a racial background other than Black or White, older individuals, and those who have never been active-duty were more likely to have attended a session. Additionally, the likelihood of utilization was higher among those who reported past week wish to die and suicidal behaviors in the past year. While certain service members are less likely to have utilized mental healthcare, findings suggest that those with suicidal ideation and access to a firearm are likely to engage in at least one appointment. As such, providing mental healthcare providers with training and resources for promoting secure firearm storage is an important avenue for suicide prevention.

The mental health care system for children and adolescents in Greece: a review and structure assessment.

The mental health system in Greece faces challenges to complete its transition to a community-oriented model, having significant concerns for child and adolescent care due to lower coverage and service gaps. This component of the mental health system has not been comprehensively evaluated. We conducted a review of the mental health care system for children and adolescents in Greece. For a field assessment, we directly collected data from mental health services to map availability and distribution. We analyzed the needs of human resources using professional register data and the national census. The National Health Care Service (ESY, Εθνικό Σύστημα Υγείας) is the public health system in Greece, characterized by public governance but significant private participation. Although ESY aims for universal care, gaps in population coverage and high user fees create barriers to access. Embedded within ESY, the mental health system is shifting towards a community-oriented structure since the psychiatric reform. For children and adolescents, there is a developing framework for regionalization and community services, including day centers, inpatient facilities, outpatient departments, and school-based psychoeducational facilities. However, services lack coordination in a stepped care model. Patient pathways are not established and primary care rarely involves child mental health, leading to direct access to specialists. Services operate in isolation due to the absence of online registers. There is no systematic performance monitoring, yet some assessments indicate that professional practices may lack evidence-based guidelines. Our mapping highlighted a scarcity of public structures, with an unbalanced regional distribution and many underserved areas. Child and adolescent psychiatrists are predominantly affiliated with the private sector, leading to professional gaps in the public system. Our assessment identifies an established framework for a community-oriented, universally accessible mental health system, yet several barriers impede its full realization. These include an inconsistent primary healthcare system, a shortage of specialists in the public sector, imbalanced service distribution, lack of coordination among providers, underfunding, and absence of quality monitoring. We propose interventions to promote child and adolescent mental health in primary care, coordinate patient pathways, establish standards of care, and monitor performance.

Mental Health Care Needs and Access to Care for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities.

Adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are at greater risk for psychiatric disorders than the general population. Yet, they have limited access to mental health services. To examine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adults with ID. To describe evidence-based interventions for this population, their access to mental health care, and outline opportunities for improved access. This manuscript summarizes literature regarding psychiatric disorders in adults with ID and their access to behavioral health care. We considered articles referencing mental health care for adults with ID. PubMed and a variety of search terms were used. Studies published in English from 2010 to the date of the searches were included. Quantitative and qualitative study designs, review articles, program descriptions, and opinion papers were considered for inclusion. Additional references from the selected articles were also considered. We identified 2864 records. One hundred two records were included, consisting of work commenting on mental health and ID and access to care in the United States. The articles describe increased psychiatric comorbidities in adults with ID. They highlight the few evidence-based interventions for psychiatric comorbidities and the limited access to care. Our mental health care providers generally have minimal training and experience with people with ID, limiting access to appropriate care for these individuals. Improved access could be created by increasing education and experiences with these populations for mental health providers. Aligning policies, financing, and adequate insurance reimbursement to develop a continuum of care will be critical for these individuals.

An exploratory qualitative study of the experiences of women in volunteer non-player roles in Australian community football clubs.

Women are underrepresented in volunteer non-player roles in community sporting clubs, particularly in traditionally male sports such as football (soccer), where participation rates for men and boys remain higher than women and girls. Experiences of women volunteering in community sporting clubs are not well-represented in research literature. By exploring women's experiences volunteering in community Australian Football clubs, the present research aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators of women's participation in volunteer non-player community sport club roles. Our intention is that our findings will provide empirical basis for the design of efficacious evidence-based interventions and initiatives to help close the gender gap of volunteerism rates and experiences, thus facilitating equal opportunities for women to access associated individual social, physical, and mental health benefits of sports volunteering. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with six women from four Australian Football clubs, to determine barriers and facilitators to volunteering. Reflexive thematic analysis of barriers generated six themes: high expectations of self, intersectionality (of gender with motherhood or race), constrained resources, interpersonal disconnection, lack of organisational support and structure, and gender role assumptions and stereotypes. Analysis of facilitators produced six themes: having or building confidence, positive reinforcement, social connection, deliberate efforts to engage women, role autonomy and shaping, and supportive culture within a club or governing body. Findings revealed that impacts on women's development in non-player roles exist at the individual level, including the interaction of gender, race, and parental status, but also extend beyond this to personal, interpersonal, organisational, and sociocultural factors. Given our research findings we make seven recommendations for governing bodies and community football clubs to enhance volunteering gender equity: 1. Establish support for women by dividing work evenly among volunteers; 2. Provide clear descriptions of non-player roles; 3. Match the skill sets of new women volunteers to suitable roles; 4. Implement mentorship programs to aid collaboration among women who volunteer; 5. Educate communities about gender biases and assumptions; 6. Monitor and seek feedback on gendered task allocation to ensure women's unpaid labour is not disproportionate to men's; and 7. Promote and publicise women in non-player roles to enhance women's visibility and acceptance in community football clubs.

Association of General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery with Postpartum Depression and Suicidality.

Compared to neuraxial anesthesia, general anesthesia (GA) for cesarean delivery is associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression (PPD) requiring hospitalization. However, obstetric complications occurring during childbirth (eg, stillbirth) are associated with both increased use of GA and increased risk of PPD, and may account for the reported association between GA and PPD. This study assessed the association of GA for cesarean delivery with PPD requiring hospitalization, outpatient visit, or emergency department (ED) visit, accounting for obstetric complications. This retrospective cohort study included women who underwent a cesarean delivery in New York State between January 2009 and December 2017. Women were followed for 1 year after discharge for readmission, outpatient visit, or ED visit. The primary outcome was PPD requiring readmission, outpatient visit, or ED visit. The 2 secondary outcomes were (1) PPD requiring readmission, and (2) suicidality. Obstetric complications included severe maternal morbidity, blood transfusion, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of PPD, PPD requiring readmission, and suicidality associated with GA were estimated using the propensity score matching and the overlap propensity score weighting methods. Of the 325,840 women included, 19,513 received GA (6.0%; 95% CI, 5.9-6.1). Complications occurred in 43,432 women (13.3%) and the GA rate for these women was 9.7% (95% CI, 9.4-10.0). The incidence rate of PPD was 12.8 per 1000 person-years, with 24.5% requiring hospital readmission, and was higher when an obstetric complication occurred (17.1 per 1000 person-years). After matching, the incidence rate of PPD was 15.5 per 1000 person-years for women who received neuraxial anesthesia and 17.5 per 1000 person-years for women who received GA, yielding an aHR of 1.12 (95% CI, 0.97-1.30). Use of GA was associated with a 38% increased risk of PPD requiring hospitalization (aHR: 1.38; 95% CI, 1.07-1.77) and with a 45% increased risk of suicidality (aHR 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02-2.05). Results were consistent when using the overlap propensity score weighting. Use of GA for cesarean delivery is independently associated with a significantly increased risk of PPD requiring hospitalization and suicidality. It underscores the need to avoid using GA whenever appropriate and to address the potential mental health issues of patients after GA use, specifically by screening for PPD and providing referrals to accessible mental health providers as needed.

Expert System for Assessing Anxiety Levels in Toxic Relationships Using the Case-Based Reasoning Method Based On The Web

Experiences in toxic relationships often trigger significant emotional stress and impact mental health disorders. This study aims to develop a web-based expert system using the Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) method to evaluate anxiety levels caused by toxic relationships. The system is designed to provide more specific treatment by accurately analysing patterns of disorders resulting from toxic relationships. The system's development follows the waterfall model. System testing was conducted using the black-box testing method, demonstrating that the system performs as expected. The results of manual calculations were compared with the system outputs and showed consistency. Testing using 300 cases—80% as training data (240 cases) and 20% as testing data (60 cases)—achieved an accuracy of 91.67%. The recommendations provided include initial steps to manage anxiety. This indicates that the CBR method effectively distinguishes anxiety levels based on similar cases. These findings contribute to clinical psychology by providing a technological tool for quickly identifying anxiety levels. For practitioners, this system can serve as an initial reference before further treatment, while for users, it offers easy access to understanding their mental condition. This system is expected to be an innovative solution supporting accessible mental health care.

Harnessing AI in Anxiety Management: A Chatbot-Based Intervention for Personalized Mental Health Support

Anxiety disorders represent one of the most widespread mental health challenges globally, yet access to traditional therapeutic interventions remains constrained, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an AI-powered chatbot, developed using ChatGPT, in managing anxiety symptoms through evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Fifty participants with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms engaged with the chatbot over two observational phases, each lasting seven days. The chatbot delivered personalized interventions, including mindfulness exercises, cognitive restructuring, and breathing techniques, and was accessible 24/7 to provide real-time support during emotional distress. The findings revealed a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in both phases, with an average improvement of 21.15% in Phase 1 and 20.42% in Phase 2. Enhanced engagement in Phase 2 suggested the potential for sustained usability and familiarity with the chatbot’s functions. While participants reported high satisfaction with the accessibility and personalization of the chatbot, its inability to replicate human empathy underscored the importance of integrating AI tools with human oversight for optimal outcomes. This study highlights the potential of AI-driven interventions as valuable complements to traditional therapy, providing scalable and accessible mental health support, particularly in regions with limited access to professional services.

Natural Disaster Vulnerability Among People with Disabilities: Insights from the 2024 Household Pulse Survey

BackgroundNatural disasters pose global challenges, with their frequency and severity increasing annually, impacting communities worldwide. People with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to experiencing adverse mental health outcomes in the aftermath of such events, yet this critical issue remains inadequately studied. ObjectiveThis paper examines the impact of natural disasters on people with disabilities, focusing on their displacement patterns and mental well-being, to enhance our understanding of health vulnerabilities and the specific needs in emergency response. MethodsData from the nationally representative 2024 Household Pulse Survey were analyzed to assess the duration of displacement and the severity of mental distress among individuals with and without disabilities following natural disasters. Generalized Estimating Equations were employed to predict post-disaster outcomes, adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and household structure. ResultsIndividuals with vision disabilities (CI: 0.024–0.137) and those with multiple disabilities (CI: 0.020–0.068) experienced significantly longer periods of displacement compared to non-disabled people. Additionally, people with cognitive disabilities reported significantly higher levels of mental distress than their non-disabled counterparts (CI: 0.149–0.236). ConclusionFindings from this study demonstrate the need for specialized disaster response protocols that prioritize accessibility, mental health support, and targeted assistance for different disability types. Future emergency preparedness policies should incorporate disability-specific considerations, including enhanced evacuation planning, accessible mental health services, and strengthened community support systems. Disaster response frameworks must evolve to address these documented vulnerabilities, ensuring equitable support for all community members during and after natural disasters.

A qualitative study of adaptation challenges of Ukrainian refugees in the United States

This study examines adaptation challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees living in the United States (U.S.), with a focus on families with children. Since 2022, an estimated 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees have left the country, including at least 221,000 to the U.S. This population has experienced trauma and displacement and now faces new challenges of adaptation and acculturation in the U.S. after resettlement. The research team conducted in-depth interviews with 32 Ukrainian refugees and generated themes from the responses using qualitative grounded theory research methods. Findings indicated Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. are struggling with multiple adaptation challenges which group into five themes: 1) coping with the stressors of displacement, family separation, and pre-migration trauma, 2) maintaining mental health and well-being while adapting, 3) navigating the language barrier, 4) coping with gender-role conflicts related to employment status, and 5) acculturating to everyday life with U.S. institutions of education, health, transportation, and social assistance. Implications for practitioners and policymakers include clarifying future visa status for Ukrainian refugees, making English language classes and automatic translation technology easily accessible, supporting intra-community and remote mental health services, and developing economic and social packages to help this population adapt and acculturate resiliently into U.S. society. The findings are also informative for the comparative understanding of adaptation pathways of different groups of refugees and are relevant for perspectives on life course development under conditions of acculturation, trauma, and displacement.