Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40100036›Full record

ArticleThe International journal of social psychiatry2025

Exploring the barriers to mental health help-seeking among African Migrants in Australia: A qualitative study.

Nnaemeka Meribe, Obed Adonteng-Kissi, Kathomi Gatwiri, Lillian Mwanri, Frank Darkwa Baffour, Agness Tembo, Edith N Botchway-Commey, David Chisanga, Ahmed A Moustafa, Kerrie E Doyle and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The International journal of social psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Nnaemeka MeribeLa Trobe University - Melbourne Bundoora Campus, VIC, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-9800-3861
Obed Adonteng-KissiEdith Cowan University, Bunbury, WA, Australia.
Kathomi GatwiriSouthern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
Lillian MwanriTorrens University Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Frank Darkwa BaffourUniversity of Newcastle Family Action Centre, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Agness TemboThe University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Edith N Botchway-CommeyUniversity of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
David ChisangaLa Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Ahmed A MoustafaBond University Ltd, Gold, QLD, Australia.
Kerrie E DoyleWestern Sydney University, Campbeltown, NSW, Australia.
Uchechukwu Levi OsuagwuSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-1727-6914

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe health of African migrants in Australia is a largely under-researched topic despite the steadily increasing size of the population and its uniqueness. In particular, few studies have explored the mental health of African migrants in Australia or their utilization of mental health services.

aimsThis study explored the barriers to mental health help-seeking among first-generation African migrants in Australia.

methodsIn this qualitative study conducted using the hermeneutical phenomenological research approach, the purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants. In-depth interviews with participants were undertaken online via Zoom, Teams, and WhatsApp calls. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, utilizing a thematic analysis as the primary data analysis method.

resultsAfrican migrants were more inclined to seek support for mental health conditions from religious figures such as priests instead of seeking professional help. Religion and poor knowledge about mental illness were highlighted as barriers to mental health help-seeking. Participants also considered cultural beliefs, fear of stigma as well as the high cost of healthcare in Australia as significant barriers to mental health help-seeking among African migrants.

conclusionsFindings reinforce the critical need for culturally competent mental health services tailored to the beliefs, values, religion, and experiences of African and other migrant communities in Australia. Given the strong attachment of many African migrants in Australia to their cultural and religious beliefs, such services are essential for practical support and intervention.

Indexed as

Black PeopleHealth Services AccessibilityHelp-Seeking BehaviorMental DisordersMental Health ServicesPatient Acceptance of Health CareTransients and MigrantsAdultAfricaAustraliaFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedAfrican migrantsbarrierscultural beliefshelp-seekingMental healthreligion

Identifiers

PMID40100036
PMCPMC12357979

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.