Addressing the Invisible Affliction: An Assessment of Behavioral Health Services for Newly Resettled Refugees in the United States

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-15-2019

Journal

Journal of International Migration and Integration

Volume

20

Issue

1

DOI

10.1007/s12134-018-0603-z

Keywords

Behavioral health; Depression; Integration; Psychiatry; PTSD; Refugee health; Resettlement

Abstract

The behavioral health needs of refugees in the USA remain insufficiently studied due to a lack of data on their assessment, referral, and treatment during the resettlement process. This study examines the current behavioral health service provisions for this population through individual interviews of refugee resettlement agency staff in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and a nationwide survey of state refugee health coordinators. The results reveal shortfalls in behavioral health screening, clinical resources, and other federally mandated services along with linguistic and cultural obstacles facing refugees with potential behavioral health needs. This study offers actionable policy and procedural recommendations on the federal, state, and local levels to address these shortfalls. This includes increasing funding for healthcare entitlement programs and refugee resettlement agencies, improving screening procedures and treatment protocols, expanding federal and state oversight of mandated behavioral health services, and establishing community-partnered programs to reduce cultural and stigma-related barriers to behavior health care.

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