Service Providers’ Experiences of Interpreter-Assisted Mental Health Care for People with Refugee Backgrounds

Abstract

Lack of a common language is one of the major barriers to providing mental health services for people with refugee backgrounds. However, while research shows that using interpreters can present some challenges, there is little research that focuses on people with refugee backgrounds, and particularly research that considers the specific challenges and benefits related to interpreter-mediated mental health sessions. As such, this study aimed to investigate the experiences of both interpreters and mental health professionals regarding the potential ways of improving interpreter-assisted mental health care for people with refugee backgrounds. Mental health professionals (N = 8) and interpreters (N = 9) working with people with refugee backgrounds in Australia were interviewed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis in a qualitative paradigm. Analysis returned five themes: ‘interpreters as cultural advisors’, ‘importance of briefing and debriefing’, ‘interpreters as part of the therapeutic relationship’, ‘interpreter-client interactions’, and ‘specialized training for both interpreters and mental health professionals’. This study found that interpreters have various roles and are a part of the therapeutic relationship with mental health practitioners and people with refugee backgrounds. Future studies should investigate training for both interpreters and mental health professionals, as well as developing new guidelines specific to interpreter-assisted mental health care for people with Refugee backgrounds.