Psychological distress and anxiety in Arab refugees and migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with various psychological stressors due to health-related, social, economic, and individual consequences, especially for minority groups such as refugees and other migrants who live in unstable conditions and have lost their social support groups. The aim of this study was to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on this specific population in Germany.This study used a mixed-method approach. A total of 85 migrants took part in an online survey in Germany from April to July 2020. The questionnaire included demographic information and measures of psychological distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as risk and protective factors for psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with 10 refugees were conducted between May and June 2020. In our sample, 54.5% expressed fear of being infected with COVID-19. Participants spent several hours per day thinking about COVID-19 (M = 3.13 hours). Psychological and social determinants of mental health showed stronger associations with anxiety regarding COVID-19 than experiences with the disease. Interviews showed that especially for refugees with limited information regarding access to medical treatment, the pandemic increased already-existing psychological symptoms and worries about their families back home and reminded them of their flight from their home country to Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with psychological distress, anxiety, and depression in refugees and migrants in Germany. Information on where to get medical treatment, if needed, is of utmost importance to this population group, in addition to other strategies such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and social contacts, and acceptance of strategies to cope with anxiety and negative emotions.

[Peer-to-Peer Self-help Interventions for Refugees: A Pilot Study]. / Peer-to-Peer-Selbsthilfe-Interventionen für Geflüchtete ­ eine Pilotstudie.

The arrival of a large number of forcibly displaced people in Germany since 2015 has led to increased challenges in the mental health care system. To build up knowledge and raise awareness of refugees regarding mental health services and to provide practical support, a manual for peer-to-peer (P2P) counseling was developed at Charité-University Medical Center Berlin and refugees were trained as peer counsellors. In a pilot study, we qualitatively evaluated four P2P groups with Farsi / Dari or Arabic speaking male and female refugees. Individual interviews were conducted, which assessed perceived benefits and pitfalls of the P2P group as well as preferences and expectations of the participants. Data were coded and analyzed with the software package MAXQDA. All P2P participants expressed their satistfaction with the intervention. The P2P group helped them to find friends and to strengthen social support. Participants suggested to modify group sessions according to individual needs. The results of our study suggest that integrating P2P approaches in the mental health services for refugees may increase access to the health care system on the one hand and reduce access barriers on the other hand.