Original title: The Case for Peer-Support in Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Ukrainian Refugees in Europe
Many Ukrainians who fled to Europe face stress, separation from family, and uncertainty. Getting mental-health care can be difficult because services are stretched and language or paperwork creates barriers. The paper argues that people with shared experiences can offer emotional support, social connection, and practical guidance. It suggests adding organized peer-support programs to existing mental-health responses, not replacing formal care.
Imagine moving to a new town after a difficult time and trying to find help. The offices are busy, the forms are hard to understand, and it is difficult to explain what you need. In this paper, those barriers are the trouble refugees face reaching care, while support from people who have been through similar upheaval offers connection and practical guidance.
Refugees facing anxiety, depression, or trauma can have trouble reaching formal care because services are overstretched and language or bureaucratic barriers get in the way. The paper argues that structured peer support could add connection and practical help alongside professional services.
The abstract argues that peer support is promising and may help address service gaps, but it does not report evidence from a tested program or show how well such programs work. It also does not specify how they should be organized or which refugees would benefit most.
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The Case for Peer-Support in Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Ukrainian Refugees in Europe — Feride Nur Haskaraca, L Schmid — Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health — doi:10.1007/s10903-026-02001-y
Abstract licence: CC BY
Explanation generated by Synthesis from the abstract — it is not the original paper.