Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Mental Illness Among Adolescent Refugees In The United States, Kate Lloyd

Ballard Brief

As the worldwide refugee population has steadily increased over the past decade, mental health concerns among refugees have become more prevalent. In the United States. adolescent refugees face higher rates of mental illness in comparison to non-refugee adolescents. Mental health concerns stem from traumatic experiences, challenges with acculturation, discrimination from peers, separation from parents, and cultural perceptions of mental illness in their country of origin. As a result of these experiences. adolescent refugees are at a higher risk of mental illnesses such as PTSD, depression. and anxiety, creating barriers to their ability to smoothly transition into the United States. In …