Albanian Migrants in Cyclades: Contact with Mental Health Services and Implications for Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential differences between Albanian migrants and Greeks in the islands of Paros and Antiparos with regard to seeking help from the local public mental health service, namely the Mobile Mental Health Unit of NE Cyclades Islands (EPAPSY-NGO). The study’s instruments include the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and a questionnaire for recording psychosocial profile data and information concerning contact with the services. The results showed that significantly less Albanian migrants contacted the mental health services in the past in comparison to Greeks. When using the service, the Albanians were more likely to see a psychiatrist in the Unit, rather than a psychologist-psychotherapist, and they more often received prescriptions for medication. There was a significantly higher dropout rate among Albanian migrants. This study highlights the different aspects of access and use of mental health services among Albanian migrants compared with native residents. Further research should focus on the factors related to early dropouts and difficulties accessing mental health services in rural areas, in order to develop more focused and effective interventions and improve the quality of care provided.