Presentation Title
Working with Interpreters in Refugee Mental Health
Document Type
Poster Session
Department
Social Work
Faculty Mentor
Hermeet K. Kohli, Ph.D., MSW
Keywords
mental healthcare, interpreting, refugees, language barriers, communication
Abstract
For refugees, limited English proficiency hinders access to healthcare services. The language barrier significantly affects mental health and represents the most fundamental challenge preventing refugees from accessing mental health services. Previous research focused primarily on the role and impact of interpreters in mental healthcare. The existing literature unequivocally supports interpreters’ unique challenges and dynamics when working with refugees in mental health. We used a questionnaire-based survey to identify the need of interpreters in mental health. Questions were designed as closed-ended questions that would lead to a more appropriate response, are easy to understand and answer, and help obtain measurable data. Survey data was collected from 23 interpreters working with refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in the Greater Portland area to build knowledge of this understudied area. Fifty percent of the interpreters strongly agreed an introduction to major mental health disorders is needed; 53.6% expressed interest in training in mental health disorders; 53.6% reported interest in understanding the components of psychological assessment; 42.9% expressed interest in training in interpretation in crisis intervention; 53.6% conveyed interest in understanding nonverbal communication across cultures; 65% of interpreter believe training in mental health is very important. The responses of this study indicate it is recommended to strengthen the training for interpreters and enhance their knowledge of nonverbal communication linked to a person’s cultural background. More research is needed to fully understand the need for interpreters when working with refugees in mental healthcare because of the complexity of interpreting.
Included in
Working with Interpreters in Refugee Mental Health
For refugees, limited English proficiency hinders access to healthcare services. The language barrier significantly affects mental health and represents the most fundamental challenge preventing refugees from accessing mental health services. Previous research focused primarily on the role and impact of interpreters in mental healthcare. The existing literature unequivocally supports interpreters’ unique challenges and dynamics when working with refugees in mental health. We used a questionnaire-based survey to identify the need of interpreters in mental health. Questions were designed as closed-ended questions that would lead to a more appropriate response, are easy to understand and answer, and help obtain measurable data. Survey data was collected from 23 interpreters working with refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in the Greater Portland area to build knowledge of this understudied area. Fifty percent of the interpreters strongly agreed an introduction to major mental health disorders is needed; 53.6% expressed interest in training in mental health disorders; 53.6% reported interest in understanding the components of psychological assessment; 42.9% expressed interest in training in interpretation in crisis intervention; 53.6% conveyed interest in understanding nonverbal communication across cultures; 65% of interpreter believe training in mental health is very important. The responses of this study indicate it is recommended to strengthen the training for interpreters and enhance their knowledge of nonverbal communication linked to a person’s cultural background. More research is needed to fully understand the need for interpreters when working with refugees in mental healthcare because of the complexity of interpreting.
