Findings from Mental Health Screening of Newly Arrived Refugees in Colorado

Abstract

States are required to provide a public health screening for all newly arrived refugees in the United States. In 1997, a comprehensive program was created to include both a physical examination and a mental health screening. This article provides a complete description of the mental health screening process, including two illustrative cases, and reports information about the refugees who participated in the program. Ten percent of screened refugees were offered mental health referrals; of those, 37% followed up. Refugees who presented for treatment reported a higher number of symptoms upon screening compared with those who were offered referrals but did not follow up. Psychiatric evaluation confirmed that those who screened positive and presented for treatment were experiencing a high level of suffering and qualified for mental health diagnoses. The findings support inclusion of a mental health screening as part of the public health screening.

Improving access to and engagement with mental health services among young people from refugee backgrounds: service user and provider perspectives

“…Practitioners also pointed out the importance of building relationships between agencies (Implication 10), such as between mental health services and schools, other health services and community organisations so that, if the need arises, these agencies are already connected to the mental health services. Similar observations in regards to partnerships (including with religious organisations) were made by Ellis and collaborators (Ellis et al, 2010) and Savin and collaborators (Savin, Seymour, Littleford, Bettridge, & Giese, 2005).…”

Psychological Status of Former Refugee Detainees From the Woomera Detention Centre Now Living in the Australian Community

“…They also reported that "participants who had been released had marked reductions in all psychological symptoms, but those still detained were more distressed than at baseline…detention of asylum seekers exacerbates psychological symptoms" (p. 1721). Similar patterns of depression, Anxiety, and post-traumatic disorders are being reported of refugees in detention across the world (Savin, Seymour, Littleford, Bettridge & Giese, 2005).…”

Efficient identification of mental health problems in refugees in Germany: the Refugee Health Screener

“…Based on experiences of large-scale programmes in the US (e.g. Hollifield et al, 2016; Savin et al, 2005), we recommend the inclusion of a mental health screening such as the RHS in the initial medical examination. Refugees with a positive screening result should be offered psychoeducation and if the person wishes so, a referral to mental health services should be organized.…”

“…With this goal in mind, state-wide programmes in the USA have included mental health screening in the initial medical examination. They found good results in the feasibility and acceptability of mental health screenings in the public health system (Hollifield et al, 2016; Savin, Seymour, Littleford, Bettridge, & Giese, 2005). Potential barriers in screening and acceptance of referral to mental health services include problems in communication, confidentiality, literacy, stigma, limited care capacities, and difficulties in contacting the refugees (e.g.…”