Mental Health Services for Adolescents With Status as Asylum Seekers or Refugees: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives

Abstract

Clear recommendations for how to best adapt mental health services for adolescents with a background as asylum seekers and refugees are lacking. This study therefore explored healthcare professionals’ experiences and perspectives on mental health needs of these groups of youth in Norway. The objectives were to explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on what is needed for adolescents with status as asylum seekers or refugees to seek professional help for mental health problems and what is important for them to experience the offered help as beneficial. A qualitative interview study was carried out to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals (n = 11) in primary and secondary healthcare settings. Systematic text condensation was used for data analysis. Four themes were developed through the study: (a) culturally sensitive and adapted services; (b) low threshold and outreach services; (c) building a trusting relationship; and (d) user involvement. The study provides a constructivist understanding of cultural competence including several suggestions for how to overcome barriers to service use among adolescents who have a background as asylum seekers or refugees. Some of the recommendations include an ongoing collaboration with youth and their families to better understand their culture; healthcare professionals who acquire cultural competence, practice cultural humility and are mindful of their own cultural backgrounds. There should be comprehensive education and training programmes for healthcare professionals. Services should be easily accessible with simplified referral procedures and arena flexibility. Skilled interpreters should be used, including cultural interpreters. Shared decision-making should be used to actively engage youth in their treatment.