Mental health services for refugee youth in the United States

Youth resettling as refugees in the U.S. navigate adjustment and development in a new and often challenging environment. Mental health needs suggest services could benefit many youth, though standard resettlement services are limited to health screening and school enrollment. This study examines mental health programs for refugee youth living in the United States using the integrative risk and resilience model for immigrant youth adaptation proposed by Suárez-Orozco and colleagues. A review of published literature and online resources identified programs that support refugee youth at the microsystem and individual levels, including individual therapy, group therapy, family supports, art, music, mentoring, leadership, justice work, empowerment, resource access, relationship-building, cultural celebration, adjustment, and community building. In total, 30 programs are reviewed, with attention to communities served, intervention type, associated adaptation tasks, and program results. While the variety of available programs for refugee youth demonstrates promise, additional research is needed to assess program efficacy and disseminate potential service models. State and federal policy efforts can incorporate promising models into resettlement and education systems serving all refugee youth.