Tembo Agness, Gatwiri Kathomi, Adonteng-Kissi Obed, Meribe Nnaemeka, Mwanri Lillian, Baffour Frank Darkwa, Botchway-Commey Edith N, Chisanga David, Moustafa Ahmed A, Kim Samara, Osuagwu Uchechukwu Levi
Sydney Nursing School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Faculty of Health, Centre for Children & Young People, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia.
Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2025 Jun;34(3):e70071. doi: 10.1111/inm.70071.
African migrants living in Western countries often report experiencing high levels of stress, trauma and mental health conditions due to migration-related challenges, including racial discrimination, social exclusion and economic hardships. This mixed-method study that sought to explore to This mixed-method study explored the help-seeking behaviours of Africans in Australia. The quantitative study engaged 167 participants, who completed an online survey, and the qualitative aspect involved an in-depth interview with 12 participants. This paper reports on the qualitative aspect of the study, which was seen as essential to gaining deep, rich insights into the everyday meaning-making processes of how African migrants in Australia understand and interact with mental health services. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed two strong recurring themes on mental health stigma among African migrants in Australia. The findings are discussed in two main themes: (1) judgment, shame and isolation (both communal and internalised) and (2) 'madness' tropes of mental health. The study highlights the critical need for culturally sensitive educational programs to address stigma and enhance mental health understanding within migrant communities, emphasising the importance of health professionals' awareness of cultural dimensions of mental health to improve support and access to mental health services for this community.
生活在西方国家的非洲移民经常报告称，由于与移民相关的挑战，包括种族歧视、社会排斥和经济困难，他们承受着高度的压力、创伤和心理健康问题。这项混合方法研究旨在探索澳大利亚非洲人的求助行为。定量研究有167名参与者，他们完成了一项在线调查，定性研究则对12名参与者进行了深入访谈。本文报告了该研究的定性部分，这被视为深入、全面了解澳大利亚非洲移民如何理解心理健康服务并与之互动的日常意义构建过程的关键。对定性数据的主题分析揭示了澳大利亚非洲移民中关于心理健康污名化的两个反复出现的强烈主题。研究结果在两个主要主题中进行了讨论：（1）评判、羞耻和孤立（包括集体层面和内化层面）以及（2）心理健康的“疯狂”比喻。该研究强调迫切需要开展具有文化敏感性的教育项目，以消除污名并增进移民社区对心理健康的理解，强调卫生专业人员了解心理健康文化层面对于改善该社区的支持并增加其获得心理健康服务机会的重要性。
