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Preventive Mental Health Interventions for Refugee Children and Adolescents in High Income Settings

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Abstract

The mental health of refugee children and adolescents is a multifaceted phenomenon that needs to be understood and addressed across multiple sectors that influence all potential determinants of health, including housing, education, economic opportunities, and the larger policy and political context including immigration. The current state of interventions to address mental health problems in refugee children is limited and even more so for prevention programmes. This review describes interventions of note that are delivered to individuals as well as parenting and school interventions, and broader socioeconomic and cultural interventions.

Citation

  • Fazel, M., & Betancourt, T. S. (2018). Preventive mental health interventions for refugee children and adolescents in High Income-income settings.  The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health,  2(2), 121-132.
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Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to improve mental health of refugee children and adults?

There is very strong evidence that numerous interventions are effective in improving the mental health of child and adult refugees. Specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused interventions (TF), and psycho-education (PE) have been shown to improve symptoms related to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or general distress in refugee populations. Furthermore, cultural adaptations of these…

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

AGE: Children

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Inconclusive or mixed impact

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: Multiple countries

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High Income

INTERVENTION DURATION: Varies by study

INTERVENTION: Mental health and psychosocial support services

OUTCOME AREA: Depression Reduction

OUTCOME AREA: General Distress Reduction

OUTCOME AREA: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Reduction

POPULATION: Unaccompanied Minors

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Strong

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2018

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