A community-based intervention

The aim of the first part of the project was to implement multicomponent interventions aimed at improving help-seeking behaviour and increasing referrals to first-line mental health services. In preparation, demographic data from Haninge were analysed to tailor the interventions according to local needs. Potential barriers to care were explored through interviews with migrant parents whose children had been in contact with psychiatric services. The interviews focused on parents’ experiences of help-seeking and on factors influencing access to care.

The intervention included:

For professionals and community stakeholders

One-day training sessions were offered to professionals and community stakeholders, including NGOs, student health services, social services, child and adolescent psychiatry (BUP), and primary care. The training focused on identifying children in need of mental health care, as well as on migration and trauma.

For migrant parents and newly arrived minors

Health communication sessions were offered to migrant parents and unaccompanied minors who had lived in Sweden for less than ten years. The sessions were delivered in groups by health communicators from Transkulturellt Centrum.