Understanding Behavioral Health Needs in Refugee, Immigrant, and Asylee Communities
The National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (the NNED) is pleased to offer a Virtual Roundtable to discuss trauma, culture, and culturally responsive approaches to addressing behavioral health needs. The event will feature a discussion of the unique experience of refugees, immigrants, and asylees with a focus on the layers of trauma throughout and beyond the migration process, as well as on healing and resilience.
Trauma and culture intersect in different ways and shape people’s experiences of trauma and healing. With the added impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many refugees, immigrants, and asylees experience complex trauma which can affect their emotional and behavioral needs. There are important considerations and often-unfamiliar mental health histories of refugees, immigrants, and asylees that community and mental health providers should understand. Honoring the unique cultural identities of clients and staff is a key aspect of providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care. In an effort to highlight opportunities for building effective systems that address refugee, immigrant, and asylee mental health needs, panelists will identify promising practices in training, program design, and service delivery.
Learning Objectives:
- The similarities and differences between refugees, immigrants, and asylees that affect mental health (e.g., trends, demographics, and other characteristics).
- The effects on refugee, immigrant, and asylee mental health and trauma before, during, and after the migration process.
- How communities can build culturally responsive, trauma-informed systems and programs that effectively facilitate access to mental health care for refugees, immigrants, and asylees.
- How to build capacity and increase access for trauma informed and mental health care as well as support for refugees, immigrants, and asylees.
Population(s) of Focus: Refugee, Immigrant, and Asylee Communities
Access the Recording and Materials:
- Watch the recording of the NNED Virtual Roundtable Understanding Behavioral Health Needs of Refugee, Immigrant, and Asylee Communities
- View the slides from the NNED Virtual Roundtable (PDF)
- Learn more about the opening speaker, panelists, and facilitator
- Check out the NNED Virtual Roundtable summary (pdf)
Resources:
- View a list of new Training and TA Programs from SAMHSA
- Learn more about Survivors of Torture International
- Learn more about International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
- Learn more about the National Latino Behavioral Health Association
- Learn more about the Behavioral Health Interpreter Training from the National Latino Behavioral Health Association
- Learn more about the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs
- Check out the Populations of Concern to UNHCR
- Check out the Refugee Data Finder
- Read the article Exploring the career development of young people with refugee backgrounds: Finding voice through narrative inquiry
- Check out the resource compilation Resources for Building Provider Capacity to Serve Refugees and Immigrants
Contact Information for the Opening Presenter, Panelists, and the Facilitator:
- Nima Sheth, MD, MPH | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Rockville, MD)
- Cecily Peeples Rodriguez | Virginia Tech School of Public Health and International Affairs (Richmond, VA)
- Hyojin Im, PhD, MSW, MA | Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work (Richmond, VA)
- Kathi Anderson | Executive Director, Survivors of Torture (San Diego, CA)
- Annie Guo VanDan, MPH | Change Consultant, Change Matrix (Denver, CO)
Date: 2022