Positive Minds for Refugees: A Qualitative Study to Inform Intervention Development
Sarah Hillegass1, Rawan AlHeresh2, Helina Samson3
1UNC Health, Chapel Hill, USA.
Community Mental Health Journal
|December 27, 2022
Summary
A new mental health program, Positive Minds for Refugees (PMR), shows promise for refugee well-being. Feedback indicates the intervention is acceptable, with suggestions for enhanced cultural and societal navigation content.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health Research
- Community-Based Interventions
Background:
- Refugees experience disproportionately poorer mental health outcomes compared to host populations.
- There is a significant lack of mental health programs tailored specifically for refugees in the United States.
- Resettlement involves navigating complex social, cultural, and environmental challenges impacting refugee mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and assess the acceptability of a community-based mental health intervention for refugees.
- To gather feedback from refugees on the in-development Positive Minds for Refugees (PMR) program.
- To identify necessary modifications for improving intervention relevance and effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach utilized.
- Preliminary study involved 8 refugees in 3 focus groups.
- Feedback gathered on intervention content and overall acceptability.
Main Results:
- The Positive Minds for Refugees (PMR) intervention was found to be generally acceptable and relevant to the refugee community.
- Refugees indicated a need for additional content focused on American cultural norms and navigating US society.
- Coping strategies for social isolation and self-care were identified as important areas for enhancement.
Conclusions:
- The preliminary findings support the potential of the Positive Minds for Refugees (PMR) intervention.
- Cultural considerations are crucial for the successful implementation of mental health programs for refugees.
- Further development should incorporate content on societal navigation, cultural adaptation, and self-care to address specific refugee needs.
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