A Scoping Review of Mental Health Among Refugees in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines highlight mental health risks for refugees, including pre-departure trauma, travel stress, and challenges in host countries. This scoping review aims to investigate the mental health challenges faced by refugees in the United Kingdom by consulting the existing literature on pre-migration factors, migration experiences, and post-migration conditions. Methodology: The database search retrieved 1,636 studies after systematically searching five electronic databases. After completing the eligibility screening, 34 articles were selected. The scoping review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR checklist, which is an extension of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for scoping reviews. Results: The studies primarily consisted of published journal articles (73.5%). Mental health faced by refugees was categorised into pre-migration factors (n=10, 29.4%), such as trauma and violence, economic hardships, persecution, and human rights violations. Migration factors (n=13, 38.2%) included dangerous travel conditions, detention, human trafficking, and the stress of resettlement. Lastly, post-migration factors (n=11, 32.4%) such as acculturation and adaptation, Social Integration and Support, and Economic Stability. Conclusion: Comprehensive mental health assessments and customised interventions at each stage of the refugee experience are necessary to address these challenges. The mental well-being of refugees in the UK must be supported by the development and implementation of strategies that mitigate these stressors through the collaboration of policymakers, clinicians, and public health authorities.