[Evaluation of a peer-helper project for mental health stabilization of refugees]

This article presents the results of a pilot project to support mentally affected refugees by trained peer helpers. The evaluation aims to assess the necessity, usefulness and effectiveness of the project.

External agents as well as those involved in this project were interviewed with the help of validated and self-designed instruments and the results subjected to statistical analysis. The sample consisted of 197 refugees living in camps, 18 peer helpers participating in the project, as well as 16 social workers and administrators of twelve refugee shelters.

More than half of the refugee sample reported having psychological problems. Peer-help, which consisted primarily of individual consultations, was rated positively by the refugees. 58.5 % severely affected refugees were reassigned to standard health care. Trained peer helpers rated peer training, coordination and supervision as good. The psychological burden of peer helpers did not change during the project. Social workers and administrators of the refugee shelters evaluated the peer-helper project as helpful.

The pilot project appears to be necessary and useful. Mentally affected refugees benefit from the low-level help offer with trained peers providing valuable, native-speaker assistance. Good training, coordination and supervision as framework conditions allow the successful use of peer helpers to support mentally affected refugees effectively.