Mental health problems affect about 84 million people across the EU. Refugees and other migrants are particularly at risk of developing mental health problems due to stressors they encounter before, during, and after their migration process. Prevalence rates for some mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress and psychotic disorders, are higher among refugees and migrants compared to non-migrant populations. Even though many refugees and migrants need treatment for their mental health problems, they have great difficulties in accessing mental healthcare services, particularly those who do not speak the dominant language of their host country. Furthermore, if they succeed in gaining access to mental healthcare services, treatment often lacks cultural and linguistic sensitivity, resulting in inadequate care.
In this project, 13 partners from 9 European countries will develop, test, and implement a multilingual, culturally-sensitive, evidence-based digital information and communication platform in mental healthcare. This platform aims to reduce the negative impact of linguistic and cultural barriers in accessing mental healthcare services for refugees and migrants. The platform will be based on evidence regarding the availability of high-quality language resources, stakeholders’ needs, and barriers, and proven effective intercultural communication strategies. Refugees and migrants, their caregivers, interpreters, intercultural mediators, and mental healthcare professionals and organizations are the main stakeholders to benefit from this new resource.
Research team:
- Barbara Schouten (PI)
- Gian Hernandez (postdoctoral researcher)
- Dr Melanie de Looper (postdoctoral researcher)
- Madelief Zwaan (research assistant)
Status: Ongoing since 1 January 2022
Funding: Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Union
Read mora about Mental Health for All (mhealth4all.eu)