Refugee mental health in Aalborg, Denmark Traumatic stress and cross-cultural treatment issues

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Abstract
The mental health issues of refugees and the knowledge and skills of mental health professionals who work with refugees are examined in a qualitative study of refugee institutions in Aalborg, Denmark. Refugee issues include unemployment, social isolation, housing, language, psychiatric complaints, and traumatic stress. Many of the mental health professional staff lack in-depth familiarity with the following: the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and its relevance to refugee trauma, different methods for working with trauma survivors, countertransference issues, refugee acculturation patterns, and cross-cultural psychology. The development and implementation of a national education for refugee workers and the formulation of a clear and consistent national policy for refugee integration are recommended.