What can we learn from unaccompanied refugee adolescents' perspectives on mental health care in exile?

European Journal of Pediatrics
Frederikke JarlbySigne Smith Jervelund

Abstract

Unaccompanied refugee adolescents who have fled war and persecution often have poor mental health. Yet, little is known about their own perspectives on what can relieve their mental health problems. The aim was to explore unaccompanied refugee adolescents' perspectives on healing and the mental healthcare offered to them when resettled. The study was based on methodical triangulation of participant observation in a Danish municipal institution for unaccompanied refugee minors, semi-structured individual interviews with experts, social workers and male refugee minors and a focus group interview with refugee minors. Results show that the refugee adolescents associated traditional conversational therapy with discussing negative and stigmatising aspects of their past and carrying risks of re-traumatisation. Instead, alternative activities were proposed, through which resources could be accumulated and they could be met without stereotype.Conclusion: To enhance the complex mental health needs of unaccompanied minors' mental healthcare, the perspective of the refugee adolescents should be taken into account. This calls for a holistic approach to mental healthcare in their daily lives, where they are met in a non-stigmatising manner i...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 2, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Samantha Marie HarrisGro Mjeldheim Sandal
Dec 6, 2020·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Stella Arakelyan, Alastair Ager
Dec 11, 2020·International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being·Claire Mock-Muñoz de LunaKathrine Vitus
Mar 7, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Catharina ZehetmairChristoph Nikendei
Dec 17, 2021·International Journal of Mental Health Nursing·Sebastian GabrielssonGit-Marie Ejneborn Looi

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