Mental health support for refugees in Brazil

Abstract

This article investigated how psychologists in Brazil perceive the psychological care and psychotherapy with refugees. Thirty-two psychologists were interviewed, 18 of whom were psychotherapists and 14 psychologists working in psychological care. Participants indicated facilitators and obstacles on eight different levels: patient, professional, relationship, clinical setting, therapeutic approach, Brazilian context, patient’s context and professional’s context. Obstacles included lack of interpreters and lack of preparation for the inclusion of refugees, mistrust of patients and working therapeutically in a precarious and xenophobic context. Facilitators included a therapeutic relationship based on trust, the cultural and structural competence of psychologists, and networking. The present study points to the need for anti-discrimination campaigns, inclusive refugee policies and investments in mental health services in Brazil.