Psychological Support to Help Refugees and Asylum Seekers with Mental Health Challenges Using Enhanced Problem Management Plus

What this Trial Is About

Refugees and asylum seekers often experience traumatic events and ongoing stressors that increase their risk for mental health problems. However, accessing appropriate mental health care in host countries can be difficult due to barriers like long waitlists, stigma, and communication challenges. This research aims to expand the existing Problem Management Plus PM intervention by adding booster sessions and homework reminders while evaluating its effectiveness and implementation in public health systems. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to either receive the PM intervention or be part of a waitlist control group. The PM intervention includes five sessions of psychological support based on techniques such as problem solving, stress management, behavioral activation, and social support. Those in the intervention group will also receive three telephone booster sessions and handouts with homework reminders. The control group will receive the intervention 12 months after the initial assessment. During the study, participants will undergo assessments of psychological distress and other mental health symptoms at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The study will measure changes in psychological distress, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, somatic symptoms, post-migration stressors, integration levels, suicidal ideation, self-efficacy, prolonged grief, anger, coping strategies, and other factors. The total participation period involves follow-up assessments up to 12 months after the baseline.

Boosting Refugee Integration Through Psychological Intervention