Migration from the Global South to the Global North has a long history, yet the literature
addressing the elevated risk of mental health issues among first-generation migrants remains
limited. Existing research highlights a notable prevalence of conditions such as depression,
post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, particularly affecting this demographic. Moreover,
the higher susceptibility of Black African and Caribbean individuals to being "sectioned" under
the Mental Health Act in the UK adds urgency to the need for focused investigation in this
area. This study investigates the factors influencing mental health attitudes and engagement
with support services among Sub-Saharan African migrants in Scotland.
This study focuses on migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa who have moved to Scotland. The
policies and practices in Scotland advocate for inclusive mental health services however these
are not reflected in participants’ accounts. Qualitative research was undertaken during the
COVID-19 pandemic, and this involved two focus groups (15 people in total) and interviews
with 17 first generation African migrants with lived experiences of ill mental health. The
concepts of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality were used to analyse the various
structural and individual barriers that African migrants found to impact their engagement with
mental health support.
The findings revealed a central theme of pre-migration stigmatisation intersecting with
perceived institutional barriers to seeking help. Post-migration challenges, including antiimmigration discourses and racialised experiences, further compounded the difficulties faced
during and after migration. The absence of a conducive space for discussing ongoing
challenges at personal and institutional levels perpetuated barriers to seeking help before the
onset of mental health issues. This research contributes new knowledge to research with
migrant groups by offering nuanced insights into the multifaceted barriers to help-seeking
within the context of the African migrant experience in Scotland. By tracing participants'
experiences before they left their countries of origin in Africa to post-migration, the study
demonstrates how intersecting social, cultural, and political conditions sustain mental health
disparities within this group.
| Date of Award | 25 Sept 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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| Sponsors | University of Strathclyde |
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| Supervisor | Neil Quinn (Supervisor) & Daniela Sime (Supervisor) |
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