Community-led identification of mental health support, challenges, and needs among Ethiopian immigrants to the U.S.: opportunities for partnership with faith communities.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Hall-Clifford, Rachel; Uehling, Melissa; Khan, Humama; Hoke Jr., Daniel M.; Friis-Healy, Elsa; Zhang, Shujing; Awachie, Tochukwu; Marshall Lee, Erica; Clark, Cari Jo; Dubale, Benyam; Gard, Betsy; Ward, Martha; Kaslow, Nadine
- Source
- Mental Health, Religion & Culture (MENT HEALTH RELIGION CULT), Nov2023; 26(9): 829-849. (21p)
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1367-4676
The mental health challenges and service needs of immigrant populations within the US remain under-addressed. This study presents landscape analysis results from a community-led mental health project with the Atlanta-area Ethiopian immigrant community. The landscape analysis included focus group discussions with community stakeholders and surveys. Key themes that emerged included: (1) indicators of mental health challenges; (2) perceptions of causes of mental health challenges; (3) responses to mental health challenges; (4) barriers to treatment; and (5) community mental health resources. Study findings revealed patterns of mental health concerns and experiences of racism in the Ethiopian immigrant community. Faith-based beliefs and practices emerged across all key themes. Stigma surrounding mental illness is a barrier to mental health care-seeking. This was differentiated from stress, which was more freely discussed among family and friends. Study results highlight religious communities and leaders as key sources of support and critical to community-led mental health programming.