The mental health of adolescent refugees in the UK: Understanding the lived experiences of marginalisation, resilience and support in challenging soci

My research project investigates the mental health of adolescent refugees in the UK by exploring how they navigate experiences of marginalization and support and build resilience in challenging social conditions. The experiences associated with war and refuge, including violence, family separation and systemic discrimination put

adolescents at a high risk of developing mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, limited insight exists into how adolescent refugees experience the social complexities associated with adjusting to a new host environment, assimilating into a new culture and accessing

social support and health care services in a foreign system. My research project will help to fill this gap in knowledge. It will innovatively combine Participatory Action Research (PAR) with ethnography involving a diverse sample of adolescent refugees. By amplifying their voices and by empowering refugee youth to tell their own story, my

research brings into view the challenges they face, the resilience strategies they use, and the psychosocial support they need to survive, participate and thrive in their host environment. These insights will be used to improve adolescent refugees' wellbeing and to inform local and national policies and service providers targeting the mental

health of adolescent refugees in the UK.