Mental health needs, service use and costs among Somali refugees in the UK

To assess the mental health needs and service use of Somali refugees living in London.

Subjects (n = 143) were sampled from conventional and non-conventional sites. Needs and service use were measured using the Camberwell Assessment of Need and the Client Service Receipt Inventory, respectively. Comparisons between sites were made and cost predictors identified.

Basic needs occurred frequently but were often not fully addressed. The mean number of needs was around four out of a possible 22. The most used services were GPs, other clinicians and refugee services. Higher non-inpatient costs were associated with length of stay in the UK and lower costs with being at risk of suicide and having panic disorder or agoraphobia.

Somali refugees living in London have a relatively high level of need but a low level of service use. Refugee characteristics could only account for a limited amount of cost variation.