Dr. Laurence J. Kirmayer will describe the key points of the common mental health problems review of the Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health Evidence-based clinical guidelines
Key points
Among immigrants, the prevalence of common mentalhealth problems is initially lower than in the generalpopulation, but over time, it increases to become similar tothat in the general population.
Refugees who have had severe exposure to violence oftenhave higher rates of trauma-related disorders, includingpost-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain or othersomatic syndromes.
Assessment of risk for mental health problems includesconsideration of premigration exposures, stresses anduncertainty during migration, and postmigrationresettlement experiences that influence adaptation andhealth outcomes.
Clinical assessment and treatment effectiveness can beimproved with the use of trained interpreters and culturebrokers when linguistic and cultural differences impedecommunication and mutual understanding.