How do newly arrived refugees experience resettlement? An ethnographic study on refugees’ mental health needs and the public system’s effort to meet these needs

The mental health of refugees is remarkably poorer than non-refugee populations in Denmark and globally. This is not only caused by traumatic events prior to or during the flee, but also by post-migration experiences in the host country. The research field lacks longitudinal qualitative research that explores the lived experiences of newly arrived refugees in relation to mental health and additionally incorporates the perspectives of professionals. This project addresses this knowledge gap by conducting an ethnographic study of newly arrived refugees’ mental health needs and the public system’s attempts to meet these needs. The project follows the pathways of 6-8 newly resettled refugees in Copenhagen and Aalborg, encompassing qualitative in-depth interviews with refugees, public service professionals and participant observations of the encounters between refugees and professionals. The findings lay the foundation for strengthening the reception and integration of refugees and for reducing inequality in mental health.

The project is supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark