A recent study underscores the urgent need to improve access to school-based mental health services for migrant children, revealing significant challenges these young people face in obtaining support.
While schools are increasingly seen as pivotal spaces for identifying and addressing mental health needs, there is limited understanding of the specific barriers migrant children encounter when seeking such services. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter, Comenius University, and Livewell Southwest, found a critical gap in mental health interventions tailored to the unique experiences of migrant youth.
The review of 38 studies identifies several key obstacles to access, with stigma surrounding mental health and the stresses linked to migration being among the most prominent. The findings suggest that migrant children often lack culturally and linguistically appropriate resources, making it harder for them to engage with available services.
The research highlights the importance of fostering stronger collaborations between migrant families, schools, and mental health professionals. It also advocates for the inclusion of young people’s voices in the design and delivery of mental health programs, arguing that doing so would increase the acceptability of interventions and, consequently, improve accessibility.
One solution suggested by the study is the use of “cultural brokers”—individuals who can help tailor mental health services to fit the cultural, ethnic, and linguistic needs of migrant children. Offering support in children’s native languages is another recommendation, though researchers note that these adjustments can be challenging for school-based mental health teams, especially given the diverse backgrounds of migrant populations. Providing such individualized care may also limit the number of students served, complicating efforts to scale up support.
Dr. Katie Howard, one of the study’s lead authors, emphasized that migrant children’s struggles with mental health support are not just about logistical barriers but also relate to the broader stressors of migration and resettlement. Building stronger partnerships between schools, mental health services, and families is therefore critical in overcoming these hurdles.
The study calls for greater attention to the systemic, social, and contextual factors that impede migrant children’s access to mental health services. Understanding and addressing these barriers is key to ensuring that all students receive the support they need.
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