Interventions Promoting Positive Mental Health for Migrant and Refugee Adults in the Community: A Scoping Review

Traumatic experiences in migratory processes place migrants and refugees in greater vulnerability, impacting their mental health and well-being. Thus, investing in programs that promote positive mental health within this population is a priority. This review aims to map the evidence on interventions and strategies promoting positive mental health for migrants and refugees in the community. A search was conducted in six databases, using the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review guide, for studies addressing programs that promote positive mental health for adult migrants and refugees. From 1466 results, 15 met the eligibility criteria. The review describes the structure of 11 mental health promotion programs for people from diverse geographical origins and cultures, detailing the type of interventions, strategies, concepts, and presentation formats. Evaluation results indicate positive outcomes in adherence, effectiveness, adoption of behaviors protecting mental health, and reduction of psychological distress. Recommendations for implementing these programs are also presented. Publications on mental health promotion programs for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are increasing. These programs generally have a flexible structure with a minimum of five weekly sessions, typically lasting 1 h, targeting groups either face-to-face or online, both showing equal effectiveness. Self-help programs, led by trained facilitators and supervised by culturally sensitive health professionals who speak the participants’ native language, contribute to sustainability and effectiveness.