What is it about?
This study explores the mental health challenges, coping strategies, and help-seeking behaviors of young Somali refugees living in Nairobi, Kenya. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research identifies economic hardship, family separation, and refugee-related adversities as primary sources of distress for these youth. A key finding is that while many youth report distress, they mainly rely on religious coping and self-care. When they do seek help, they primarily turn to informal networks, like family and same-sex friends, rather than formal mental health services. The study also examines the role of social capital, which refers to the resources and support found in social networks. A statistical analysis found that having a wider definition of community and a strong sense of trust within their Somali community (bonding social capital) were positively associated with a greater perception of support. In contrast, a desire to seek formal help was negatively associated with perceived support, suggesting that those who seek professional help might have weaker informal support systems. The findings highlight the need for mental health interventions that are community-driven and culturally adapted, leveraging existing social structures to provide sustainable support.
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Why is it important?
This research is crucial because it goes beyond simply identifying mental health issues in a displaced population to explain how they cope and seek help within their unique cultural and social context. By focusing on the interplay of stress, coping, and social capital, it provides a nuanced understanding of resilience among Somali youth that challenges Western-centric views of mental health. The study’s findings are timely as they emphasize that traditional clinical models are often not effective or accessible for this population due to stigma, mistrust, and cultural barriers. The research offers a clear call for a paradigm shift in mental health support for refugees, advocating for interventions that are integrated into community-based programs and led by trusted community members. This approach can help bridge the gap between informal and formal support systems, ensuring that mental health care is not only trauma-informed but also culturally sensitive and deeply embedded in the lives of those it aims to serve.
Perspectives
This study offers valuable insights into the resilience of Somali youth, but it also reveals a difficult reality. The findings show that while a strong sense of community and faith can be incredibly protective, a reliance on these informal networks may also prevent youth from seeking professional help for more severe issues. The negative association between the intention to seek help and perceived social support is particularly thought-provoking, suggesting that those most in need of professional care may be those who feel most isolated. This highlights a critical challenge for mental health providers: how to build trust and offer services that complement, rather than replace, the vital support already present within refugee communities. The high rate of non-reported demographic information also underscores the deep-seated mistrust that many displaced individuals have toward formal systems, a barrier that must be overcome for any intervention to be successful.
Dr. Hyojin Im
Virginia Commonwealth University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Beyond Individual Coping: The Role of Social Capital in Community-Based Mental Health Support for Displaced Somali Youth, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, May 2025, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22050784.
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