Lay perceptions of mental health among Afghan forced migrants residing in Finland

Figures & data

Table 1. Demographics of the study participants (N = 25).

Age
18–29	6
30–40	12
41–60	7
Immigration status
Asylum-seeker	15
Refugee	10
Years lived in Finland
0–7	15
8–14	9
≥15	1
Marital status
Single	7
Married	15
Widowed	3

Table 2. Participants’ phrases expressing aspects of mental health.

Gham [غم]	Sorrow
Fekr o khial [فکر و خیال]	Overthinking
Asabi [عصبی]	Nervous/anxious
Khod zani [خودزنی]	Self-harm/self-injury
Hazian Gooei [هذیان گویی]	Delirium/talking nonsense
Divanah [دیوانه]	Crazy
Ruhi ya ravani narughi [روحی یا روانی ناروقی]	Mental illness
Delshourah [دلشوره]	Worry/anxiety
Gooshahgir [گوشه گیر]	Isolated/self-excluding
Ghamgeen [غمگین]	Sorrowful
Jegar Khon [جگرخون]	Deep sorrow
Fishar Paein [فیشارپایین]	Low blood pressure
Tashwish [تشویش]	Anxiety
Bad Kholgh [بد خلق]	Ill-tempered
Kam harf [کم حرف]	Reticent
Rang paridah [رنگ پریده]	Pale

Table 3. Themes and subthemes related to mental health.

Main Question	Theme	Sub-Theme
What is mental health or mental illness/disorder? How do you define mental health?	External symptoms: changes in physical appearance and behavior	Changes in physical appearance (e.g., pale skin, dark circles under eyes, shaking hands) Physical symptoms (e.g., rash, wounds) Changes in personal behavior (e.g., silence, talking to oneself, self-isolation) Changes in social behavior (e.g., avoidance of social encounters, aggression) Substance abuse
	Internal symptoms: burdensome feelings and sensations	Overthinking, burdensome ideas and experiences Stress, anxiety, and sorrow as sources of mental illness Lack of interest, loss of position, and feelings of uselessness for men Symptoms of insomnia Explaining mental illness through sensations of pain