Promoting the Mental Health of Unaccompanied Migrant Children in Mexico : The Role of Non-governmental Organizations
Kontio, Tilja (2022)
2022
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022121672069
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022121672069
Tiivistelmä
Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate how Mexican non-governmental organizations working with unaccompanied migrant children meet their mental health needs, what kind of challenges the organizations face, and how their mental health services could be improved.
Method: A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing five Mexican NGOs working with unaccompanied minors. The interviews were semi-structured and consisted of 17 questions. Ten themes were found to be significant and common within the interviews: the heavy past of unaccompanied minors; depression, anxiety, and anger; frustration caused by slow processes; interdisciplinary support; collaboration with other organizations; supporting contact with family; supporting independence and agency; plans for the future; advocating human rights, and challenges with the authorities. The themes were analyzed.
Results: The organizations sought to meet unaccompanied minors’ mental health needs by offering psychological assistance in different forms, e.g., individual therapy sessions and peer support groups. Efforts to improve the assistance included continuous training and collaboration with other organizations and mental health professionals. The main challenge was the collaboration with the authorities.
Conclusions: Mexican NGOs working with unaccompanied minors are sensitive to their mental health needs and seek to promote their mental well-being with diverse interventions and strategies.
Method: A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing five Mexican NGOs working with unaccompanied minors. The interviews were semi-structured and consisted of 17 questions. Ten themes were found to be significant and common within the interviews: the heavy past of unaccompanied minors; depression, anxiety, and anger; frustration caused by slow processes; interdisciplinary support; collaboration with other organizations; supporting contact with family; supporting independence and agency; plans for the future; advocating human rights, and challenges with the authorities. The themes were analyzed.
Results: The organizations sought to meet unaccompanied minors’ mental health needs by offering psychological assistance in different forms, e.g., individual therapy sessions and peer support groups. Efforts to improve the assistance included continuous training and collaboration with other organizations and mental health professionals. The main challenge was the collaboration with the authorities.
Conclusions: Mexican NGOs working with unaccompanied minors are sensitive to their mental health needs and seek to promote their mental well-being with diverse interventions and strategies.