A total of 44 state refugee health coordinators returned a survey assessing mental health screening practices and barriers to screening. Results show that less than half the states ask refugees about a history of war trauma or torture. Of the 25 states that provide mental health screening, 17 (70.8%) utilize informal conversation rather than standardized measures. Screening practices are highly associated with the number of refugees and community discretionary grants and with the presence of a Services for Survivors of Torture Program. Refugee health coordinators identified the need for short, culturally appropriate mental health screening tools to identify refugees who need assessment and treatment services.
Population of focus: Refugees
Links to resource:
- Abstract of study — Screening for War Trauma, Torture, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Newly Arrived Refugees: A National Survey of U.S. Refugee Health Coordinators
- News article on StarTribune.com
Date: 2012
Journal: Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies