The mental health of adolescent refugees in the UK: Understanding the lived experiences of marginalisation, resilience and support in challenging soci

My research project investigates the mental health of
adolescent refugees in the UK by exploring how they
navigate experiences of marginalization and support and
build resilience in challenging social conditions. The
experiences associated with war and refuge, including
violence, family separation and systemic discrimination put
adolescents at a high risk of developing mental health
disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). However, limited insight exists into
how adolescent refugees experience the social
complexities associated with adjusting to a new host
environment, assimilating into a new culture and accessing
social support and health care services in a foreign system.
My research project will help to fill this gap in knowledge. It
will innovatively combine Participatory Action Research
(PAR) with ethnography involving a diverse sample of
adolescent refugees. By amplifying their voices and by
empowering refugee youth to tell their own story, my
research brings into view the challenges they face, the
resilience strategies they use, and the psychosocial support
they need to survive, participate and thrive in their host
environment. These insights will be used to improve
adolescent refugees' wellbeing and to inform local and
national policies and service providers targeting the mental
health of adolescent refugees in the UK.