Mental Health Nurses Leading the Way in the Training of Lay People Working With Young Asylum Seekers: The APT4U2 Program

Abstract

Worldwide non-health professionals and volunteers (NHPV) in humanitarian settings assist asylum seekers, and they need to be empowered to recognise and refer people with mental health problems and provide psychosocial support in multicultural contexts. The APT4U2 program, aligned with mental health nurses' competencies, addresses this gap. The aim of this study was to present the development of a standardised training program for NHVP work with young asylum seekers. Following the development phase of the Medical Research Council's Complex Interventions methodology, the study follows the main steps: I – Mapping existing evidence on mental health training programs for NHPV working with asylum seekers and refugees; II – Identifying NHPVs' training needs and experiences and III – Developing the APT4U2 Program. The program underwent validation by eight experts in mental and psychiatric nursing, education, public health and psychology. The APT4U2 Program is prepared for 11 h and consists of three modules and five lessons. The APT4U2 Program is an easy-to-use training program constructed and to be administered by mental health nurses to NHPV who want to work with young asylum seekers. This evidence can guide mental health nurses in training worldwide NHPV who work with asylum seekers.