Perceptions of Mental Health in the Somali Community in King County, WA: A Community- Based Participatory Research Project

Abstract

Seattle’s metropolitan area is home to the third-largest Somali community in the United States. Many refugees experience mental health repercussions as a result of fleeing war, famine, other violence in their home countries, as well as stresses associated with resettlement including language barriers, culture shock, unemployment, and adapting to western societies. The challenges facing Somali immigrants and refugees throughout King County are complex and contribute to significant unmet mental health needs. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research approach, this study explores the Somali community’s perceptions of mental health and access to mental health services in King County, WA. We conducted key informant interviews and focus groups made up of mental health providers, religious leaders, and Somali community members (new arrivals, men, women, and young adults [age 18-25]. This study finds a significant gap between the Somali community’s and the western biomedical sphere’s mental health perceptions and approaches to treatments. The Somali community commonly utilizes traditional and religious practices and perceives western services as lacking culturally appropriate services that address their mental health needs. To address this gap, the authors recommend the development of cultural humility in western services, including mental health services adapted for the Somali population; collaborations with and mental health awareness among local Imams and community members; and the creation of community workshops aimed at destigmatizing mental health.