Reducing loneliness and promoting mental well-being among migrants and asylum seekers through social mentoring in Spain: insights from a qualitative study.

The settlement and social inclusion of refugees and migrants have become critical public health challenges in Europe over the past decade. Limited support networks and cumulative stressors significantly increase experiences of loneliness and social isolation -key risk factors for poor mental health. This study explores the role of social mentoring as a protective mechanism that fosters trust, expands supportive networks, and mitigates perceived loneliness among recently arrived migrants and asylum seekers in Spain. Participants engaged in one of three mentoring programs with common objectives. A qualitative, two-round study was conducted, involving 15 focus group discussions with both mentors and mentees. Findings reveal that while structural barriers intensify social isolation and negatively impact well-being, mentoring relationships consistently offer companionship, emotional validation, practical guidance, and connections to local communities. These interpersonal ties enhance perceived social support and cultivate a sense of belonging, helping to buffer the psychological impact of discrimination, displacement, and uncertainty. The study concludes that mentoring holds considerable promise as a preventive, community-based intervention to support migrant mental health. Nonetheless, it emphasizes that mentoring alone cannot address the broader structural inequalities affecting refugee and migrant populations. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.