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- Strassmayr, C, et al.
(author)
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Mental health care for irregular migrants in Europe : Barriers and how they are overcome
- 2012
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In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 12:367, s. Art. no. 367-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundIrregular migrants (IMs) are exposed to a wide range of risk factors for developing mental health problems. However, little is known about whether and how they receive mental health care across European countries. The aims of this study were (1) to identify barriers to mental health care for IMs, and (2) to explore ways by which these barriers are overcome in practice.MethodsData from semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in the field of mental health care for IMs in the capital cities of 14 European countries were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsExperts reported a range of barriers to mental health care for IMs. These include the absence of legal entitlements to health care in some countries or a lack of awareness of such entitlements, administrative obstacles, a shortage of culturally sensitive care, the complexity of the social needs of IMs, and their fear of being reported and deported. These barriers can be partly overcome by networks of committed professionals and supportive services. NGOs have become important initial points of contact for IMs, providing mental health care themselves or referring IMs to other suitable services. However, these services are often confronted with the ethical dilemma of either acting according to the legislation and institutional rules or providing care for humanitarian reasons, which involves the risk of acting illegally and providing care without authorisation.ConclusionsEven in countries where access to health care is legally possible for IMs, various other barriers remain. Some of these are common to all migrants, whilst others are specific for IMs. Attempts at improving mental health care for IMs should consider barriers beyond legal entitlement, including communicating information about entitlement to mental health care professionals and patients, providing culturally sensitive care and ensuring sufficient resources.
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- Welbel, M, et al.
(author)
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Addiction treatment in deprived urban areas in EU countries: Accessibility of care for people from socially marginalized groups
- 2013
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In: Drugs. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0968-7637 .- 1465-3370. ; 20:1, s. 74-83
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: This study examines the accessibility of addiction treatment within services providing mental health care and support for people from socially marginalized groups in deprived urban areas across EU countries.Methods: Services providing mental health care and support in deprived areas of 14 EU capital cities were assessed with a questionnaire. We analysed the availability and accessibility of those services providing addiction treatment for people from six groups: the long-term unemployed, the homeless, street sex workers, asylum seekers and refugees, irregular migrants and people from travelling communities.Results: While 30% of all the assessed services provided addiction treatment, in 20% of services, addiction was a criterion for exclusion. Among services providing addiction treatment, 77% accepted self-referrals, 63% were open on weekends or in the evening, 60% did not charge any out-of-pocket fees, 35% provided access to interpreters, and 28% ran outreach activities. These results varied substantially among EU capitals.Conclusion: Access to addiction treatment for socially marginalized groups varies across Europe. Some of the models identified may constitute barriers to treatment. Developing care delivery models that facilitate access for vulnerable populations should be a priority for national and European policies.
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- Costa, D, et al.
(author)
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Factors associated with quality of services for marginalized groups with mental health problems in 14 European countries
- 2014
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In: BMC Health Services Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6963. ; , s. Art. no. 49-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Different service characteristics are known to influence mental health care delivery. Much less isknown about the impact of contextual factors, such as the socioeconomic circumstances, on the provision of careto socially marginalized groups.The objectives of this work were to assess the organisational characteristics of services providing mental health carefor marginalized groups in 14 European capital cities and to explore the associations between organisationalquality, service features and country-level characteristics.Methods:617 services were assessed in two highly deprived areas in 14 European capital cities. A Quality Index ofService Organisation (QISO) was developed and applied across all sites. Service characteristics and country levelsocioeconomic indicators were tested and related with the Index using linear regressions and random interceptlinear models.Results:The mean (standard deviation) of the QISO score (minimum = 0; maximum = 15) varied from 8.63 (2.23) inIreland to 12.40 (2.07) in Hungary. The number of different programmes provided was the only service characteristicsignificantly correlated with the QISO (p < 0.05). The national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was inverselyassociated with the QISO. Nearly 15% of the variance of the QISO was attributed to country-level variables, withGDP explaining 12% of this variance.Conclusions:Socioeconomic contextual factors, in particular the national GDP are likely to influence theorganisational quality of services providing mental health care for marginalized groups. Such factors should beconsidered in international comparative studies. Their significance for different types of services should be exploredin further research.Keywords:Mental health services, Quality index of service organization, Socially marginalized groups,Multi-level analysis
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