Refugees and migrants struggle to access appropriate mental health care in Belgium

VUB researchers contribute to European information platform aiming to lower barriers to mental health care

26/06/2025

Refugees and migrants are at an increased risk of mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis due to the often traumatic experiences they endure before, during, and after their migration journey. Yet, many of them find it difficult to access suitable mental health care (MHC) in Belgium. Researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) — Dr. Ily Hollebeke, Prof. Dr. Koen Kerremans, Prof. Dr. Antoon Cox, and Chiara Rao — affiliated with the Brussels Centre for Language Studies, are contributing to the European research project MentalHealth4All, which aims to address this concerning situation.

International research shows that language and cultural barriers often pose significant obstacles to accessing quality MHC services for migrants and refugees. Health care providers do not always understand their patients, and vice versa. This results in frustration, miscommunication, and even the premature termination of treatments. Furthermore, differing cultural views on mental health and unfamiliarity with the Belgian healthcare system often lead to confusion. In Belgium, general practitioners often serve as the first point of contact for further care, but this is not the case in many other countries. Many newcomers do not know where or how to seek help. One of the key goals of the project is therefore to improve access to information about local mental health services.

Another challenge is how psychological complaints are expressed and perceived. In many cultures, mental suffering is described using metaphors or physical sensations that are not always easily understood by care providers. One psychiatrist, for example, shared the case of a client who described their depression as “a warm stone in their head.”

To address these barriers, VUB researchers are collaborating on MentalHealth4All, a European partnership involving 13 partners from 9 countries. The result is a multilingual, freely accessible digital platform designed to support both healthcare professionals and migrants/refugees. The platform features practical tools, educational videos about MHC, and a comprehensive open-access database with information about mental health, translated into multiple languages.

The videos for professionals were developed by VUB researchers in cooperation with a variety of care providers (such as general practitioners, emergency doctors, psychologists, social workers…) and intercultural mediators from both Belgium and abroad. This co-creation process resulted in ten videos on topics such as navigating cultural differences, recognizing mental health problems, and working with interpreters. These videos are not only informative but also serve as tools for self-reflection among professionals.

“Both migrants and care providers find the platform valuable,” says Koen Kerremans. “But there’s still work to be done. We continue improving the platform based on feedback and are working toward integrating it into national healthcare systems. Only then can we achieve sustainable, long-term change.”

However, the mental health needs of migrants are not limited to Belgium. Across the EU, healthcare systems face similar challenges. That’s why MentalHealth4All was intentionally developed as a European initiative: multilingual, culturally diverse, and freely accessible via www.mentalhealth4all.eu. It is estimated that around 84 million people in the EU live with mental health issues — additional support for vulnerable groups is far from a luxury.