Equipping Nurses for Migrant Mental Health Care: An Integrative Review

Nurses play a pivotal role in delivering mental health care to migrants, but many lack the knowledge and training needed to effectively meet these populations' unique needs. This integrative review examined the existing literature on best practices for caring for migrants with mental health challenges.

Comprehensive searches were conducted across four databases as well as gray literature. After all eligible articles had been identified, data extraction and thematic analysis were performed.

A total of 54 articles were examined, revealing four major themes: (a) core frameworks and principles; (b) building trust and fostering therapeutic relationships; (c) communication strategies; and (d) assessment and treatment planning.

The findings of this review may assist health care providers, especially nurses, who are working with migrants with mental health difficulties to overcome stigma, discrimination, and cultural and linguistic barriers, thereby enhancing their health outcomes and overall health.