Evaluating a “healthy minds” course for asylum seekers

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-03-2015-0012
Published date10 August 2015
Pages133-140
Date10 August 2015
AuthorKim Alexandra Jackson-Blott,Brian O'Ceallaigh,Karen Wiltshire,Sarah Hunt
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion
Evaluating a healthy mindscourse for
asylum seekers
Kim Alexandra Jackson-Blott, Brian OCeallaigh, Karen Wiltshire and Sarah Hunt
Kim Alexandra Jackson-Blott is
Assistant Psychologist at Avon
and Wiltshire Mental Health
Partnership NHS Trust, LIFT
Psychology, Swindon, UK.
Brian O'Ceallaigh is Assistant
Psychologist at Cleft
Psychology Service, Morriston
Hospital, Swansea, UK.
Karen Wiltshire is High Intensity
Therapist and Dr Sarah Hunt is
Clinical Psychologist, both at
Avon and Wiltshire Mental
Health Partnership NHS Trust,
LIFT Psychology, Swindon, UK.
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the addition of a resilience-focusedCognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based psycho-educational course for asylum seekers within a primary care
Increasing Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service.
Design/methodology/approach Eight asylum seekers who attended the Healthy Minds
psycho-educational course took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim
and analysed using thematic analysis to gain insight into participantsexperiences of attending the course.
Findings Five main themes emerged: factors promoting engagement; acquiring coping skills; connecting
with personal strengths; connecting with others; and future support. Overall, positive feedback from the
course participants suggests that the intervention was effective and well received.
Research limitations/implications The samples heterogeneity and size, as well as potential biases, limit
the generalisability of the findings. Future research is therefore needed to confirm these findings and
additional areas for further enquiry are considered.
Practical implications The group-based intervention provided a cost-effective and culturally relevant
means of promoting social inclusion, whilst disseminating psycho-educational material.
Social implications Good practice in this area is important and timely. The success of this intervention
indicates that future collaborations between IAPT services and community organisations which support
people seeking asylum, should be explored.
Originality/value This study is valuable as it demonstrates that a non-specialist IAPTservice has the ability
to provide an effective low intensity psycho-educational intervention for people seeking asylum.
Keywords CBT, IAPT, Primary care, Asylum seeker, Psycho-educational course, Resilience focused
Paper type Research paper
Many people who are seeking asylum have experienced multiple stressors and traumatic
experiences pre-flight, during flight and post-flight, which can lead to or compound mental health
difficulties (Ager, 1993; Porter and Haslam, 2005). Chantler (2001) identified specific links between
UK asylum policy and poor mental health, stating that routinedetention, enforcedpoverty and denial
of the right to work can be detrimental to mental health. Furthermore, the dispersal policy
(the policy of housing asylum seeking people in predetermined locations) can hinder integration and
undermine informal support networks, leading to social isolation and contributing to poor mental
health (Chantler, 2001; Watters and Ingleby, 2004). Although not all asylum seekers develop
psychological difficulties, many experience difficulties such as depression, anxiety and
post-traumatic stress (Akinsulure-Smith, 2012; Murray et al., 2010).
Asylum seekers constitute one of the most vulnerable groups within society and are at risk of
inequalities and destitution (Lewis, 2007). Like other UK residents, asylum seekers are entitled
to free primary and secondary NHS services, including mental health services (Department of
Health (DoH), 2012). Despite the growing numbers of asylum seekers in the UK, mental health
services are often ill equipped to meet their needs (National Collaborating Centre for Mental
Health, 2005; Watters and Ingleby, 2004) and there has been evidence to suggest that as a
The Harbour Project (a Swindon
charitable organisation for refugees
and asylum seekers) played a vital
role in encouraging course
attendance and we are extremely
grateful for their support and
collaboration throughout. The
authors would also like to thank all
of the participants in this study for
their time, energy and honesty.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-03-2015-0012 VOL. 19 NO. 3 2015, pp. 133-140, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAG E 13 3

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