Addressing Differential Impacts of Covid-19 in NYS: Narrowing the gap: Using telemental health during COVID-19 to address disparities for resettled refugees

Abstract

Abstract: While the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been varied and wide-reaching, certain groups have experienced an exacerbation of existing health and mental health disparities, particularly refugees, immigrants, and migrants. Additionally, refugees have specific and often urgent mental health needs related to their experiences in countries of origin and during the process of resettlement. Telemental health, which has been used for service provision in some refugee camps prior to the emergence of COVID-19, presents unique benefits and challenges for refugee-serving providers and clients. This chapter will explore existing empirical work while centering the experiential knowledge of a refugee-serving practitioner, with a focus on innovative policy and practice recommendations for culturally responsive service provision.