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

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  • Amir A. Afkhami

    (George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    Milken Institute School of Public Health)

  • Katy Gorentz

    (Milken Institute School of Public Health)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Amir A. Afkhami & Katy Gorentz, 2019. "Addressing the Invisible Affliction: An Assessment of Behavioral Health Services for Newly Resettled Refugees in the United States," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 247-259, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:20:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s12134-018-0603-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0603-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gracia Fellmeth & Emma Plugge & Mina Fazel & Prakaykaew Charunwattana & François Nosten & Raymond Fitzpatrick & Julie A Simpson & Rose McGready, 2018. "Validation of the Refugee Health Screener-15 for the assessment of perinatal depression among Karen and Burmese women on the Thai-Myanmar border," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(5), pages 1-17, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nima Sheth & Sheetal Patel & Seini O’Connor & Mary Ann Dutton, 2022. "Working Towards Collaborative, Migrant-Centered, and Trauma-Informed Care: a Mental Health Needs Assessment for Forced Migrant Communities in the DC Metropolitan Area of the United States," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1711-1737, December.
    2. Fiza Mairaj, 2024. "Lacking Accountability and Effectiveness Measures: Exploring the Implementation of Mentoring Programs for Refugee Youth," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, October.

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