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

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My research project investigates the mental health ofadolescent refugees in the UK by exploring how theynavigate experiences of marginalization and support andbuild resilience in challenging social conditions. Theexperiences associated with war and refuge, includingviolence, family separation and systemic discrimination putadolescents at a high risk of developing mental healthdisorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumaticstress disorder (PTSD). However, limited insight exists intohow adolescent refugees experience the socialcomplexities associated with adjusting to a new hostenvironment, assimilating into a new culture and accessingsocial support and health care services in a foreign system.My research project will help to fill this gap in knowledge. Itwill innovatively combine Participatory Action Research(PAR) with ethnography involving a diverse sample ofadolescent refugees. By amplifying their voices and byempowering refugee youth to tell their own story, myresearch brings into view the challenges they face, theresilience strategies they use, and the psychosocial supportthey need to survive, participate and thrive in their hostenvironment. These insights will be used to improveadolescent refugees' wellbeing and to inform local andnational policies and service providers targeting the mentalhealth of adolescent refugees in the UK.