Mental Health and Care Utilization Among Ethiopian-Israeli Immigrants During the Period of COVID-19

Abstract

As well as affecting physical health, COVID-19 can impact mental health. Despite this, Israelis may not be getting needed mental health care because of culture-related barriers such as stigma and lack of knowledge about mental health and appropriate care. This is especially likely among vulnerable populations, such as Ethiopian immigrants, yet the topic has been understudied. This study aimed to examine to what extent COVID-19-related mental health stressors and issues are found among Ethiopian-Israelis and the extent of stigma and mental health literacy among Ethiopian-Israelis during the COVID-19 period. It also examined differences between the 1.5th and 2nd generations and potential interventions to improve their mental health. Online surveys were filled out by a convenience sample of 225 Ethiopian-Israelis recruited from a variety of sources in the fall of 2020. Over 40% expressed greater mental distress since COVID-19 started. Stigma and lack of mental health-related knowledge were found among many in this population, serving as potentially important barriers to getting appropriate mental health care. For example, only 52% disagreed with the statement that people with mental illness should not be given any responsibility and only 66% felt confident they could identify having a mental health problem requiring treatment. Variations were found by types of stressors, stigma, and lack of knowledge, as well as by immigration generation, for at least some measures. COVID-19 can negatively impact mental health and appropriate mental health care utilization, especially for a racial/ethnic minority group of immigrants such as Ethiopian-Israelis. Interventions are needed, such as increased education about mental health from a variety of sources, which can help decrease stigma and improve mental health care utilization among this group, especially when appropriately tailored.