Frontline workers in collective reception centres for asylum applicants in high-income countries encounter challenges in addressing the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs of residents, who frequently confront intricate stressors. The purpose of this study was to establish consensus-based guidance for frontline transcultural mental health conversations in these settings.
Applying Delphi methodology, a purposive sample of experts in transcultural psychology, psychiatry and social work with displaced populations were consulted across three iterative rounds. In the first round, experts freely listed guiding principles. These were thematically analysed into unique statements, which in a second round were rated for agreement and checked for wording by the same panel. In the third round, experts reviewed consensus levels and refined statements.
The study generated 94 guidelines, with 91 (97%) achieving sufficient consensus. Of these, 72% (n = 62) reached 100% agreement, and an additional 23% (n = 22) exceeded 90% agreement. This reflects broad agreement within the sector on the role of frontline staff in providing MHPSS in collective reception centres and specifies how this can be done in mental health conversations with residents.
The study offers context-specific guidance and actionable recommendations to enhance MHPSS services in asylum reception centres, supporting non-specialist and transcultural approaches to addressing residents’ mental health needs. It is an important contribution to closing the mental health gap for asylum seekers and refugee populations in host countries.
