Moving Forward in Mental Health Care for Refugee, Asylum-Seeking, and Undocumented Children: Social Determinants, Phased Approach to Care, and Advocacy

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2024 Apr;33(2):237-250. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2023.09.007. Epub 2023 Nov 3.

Abstract

Given the current political and climate crisis, the number of forcedly displaced individuals continues to rise, posing new challenges to host societies aiming to support and respond to the needs of those fleeing war or persecution. In this article, we turn our attention to current and historical sociopolitical contexts influencing the mental health of forcedly displaced children (ie, refugee, asylum-seeking, and undocumented) during their resettlement in high-income countries, proposing timely ways to respond to evolving needs and recommendations to redress ubiquitous structural inequities that act as barriers to education and care for the children, youth, and families seeking sanctuary.

Keywords: Advocacy; Asylum seekers; Mental health; Phased approach; Refugee; Undocumented.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Refugees* / psychology
  • Social Determinants of Health*