Despite high levels of traumatic exposure, refugees often do not seek mental health services upon resettlement. The purpose of this study was to examine both concepts of mental illness in addition to attitudes and beliefs about treatment as well as potential barriers to accessing mental health services. To that end, qualitative research was done using […]
Refugees
Strategies for Behavioral Health Organizations to Promote New Health Insurance Opportunities in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released new outreach and enrollment strategy briefs that include examples that have been successful in minority communities. Each brief offers 10 outreach and enrollment strategies behavioral health organizations can use to introduce new health insurance options as a result of the Affordable Care Act. The […]
Trauma-Informed Care for Displaced Populations: A Guide for Community-Based Service Providers
People displaced by war, natural disasters, extreme poverty or persecution face complex challenges as they leave their homelands to settle in new places. Many are subjected to traumatic experiences before, during and after migrating to an unfamiliar land. Caregivers serving displaced people should understand the impact of trauma and how to provide care that is […]
Screening for War Trauma, Torture, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Newly Arrived Refugees: A National Survey of U.S. Refugee Health Coordinators
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 […]
Physical and Mental Health Status of Iraqi Refugees Resettled in the United States
The authors of this study conducted a survey among Iraqi refugees resettled in the United States to assess their physical and mental health status and healthcare access and utilization following the initial 8-month, post-arrival period. They randomly selected Iraqi refugees: ≥18 years of age; living in the United States for 8-36 months; and residents of […]
Refugees and the Affordable Care Act Video in six languages – Somali, Karen, Nepali, Arabic, and Kinyarwanda
Right now, many refugees get short-term health insurance called Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). It is available for up to eight months. Some refugees may be eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which is available for several years. Thanks to the health care law, the health insurance landscape for refugees and other […]