Beyond Stigma: Barriers to Discussing Mental Health in Refugee Populations

Abstract

Mental health stigma remains one of the most commonly cited reason for why refugees fail to access mental health services. This study looks beyond stigma to explore refugees’ perspectives on why it is difficult to discuss mental health. Ethnocultural methodologies informed 13 focus groups with 111 refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Somali, and Ethiopia. Findings describing reasons why it is difficult to discuss mental health include a history of political repression, fear, the belief that talking does not help, lack of knowledge about mental health, avoidance of symptoms, shame, and culture. Recommendations for empowering and educating refugees are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• mental health stigma
• war trauma
• torture
• refugee trauma
• refugee mental health

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patricia J. Shannon

Patricia J. Shannon is an assistant professor at the School of Social Work and a research associate at the Center for Victims of Torture, University of Minnesota. Her research specializations are refugee trauma and war trauma.

Elizabeth Wieling

Elizabeth Wieling is an associate professor in the Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota. Her research interests include refugee trauma and war trauma.

Jennifer Simmelink-McCleary

Jennifer Simmelink-McCleary is an assistant professor at the Tulane University School of Social Work. Her research interests include refugee studies and substance use.

Emily Becher

Emily Becher is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota. She specializes in couples and family studies and refugee studies.