Unaccompanied minors’ (UMs) mental health and perceptions about psychologists and psychotherapeutic care in Savoie (France): A questionnaire study

Plain Language Summary

Unaccompanied minors (UMs) often face significant mental health challenges, including trauma-related stress. However, connecting them with mental health support is difficult, with many not getting care, missing appointments, or stopping therapy early, posing a challenge for effective support. This study aimed to understand the mental health of UMs in a French region (Savoie), how they seek help, and their experiences with and satisfaction from therapy, while exploring the link between their trauma symptoms and how they manage their emotions. We surveyed 64 UMs who had seen a psychologist at least once, asking them questions about their help-seeking experiences, well-being, and how they handle difficult emotions. Our findings showed that about a third (34%) of UMs exhibited signs of severe trauma. We also found that those with more intense trauma symptoms had greater difficulty managing their emotions and accepting tough feelings. After arriving in France, UMs significantly increased their use of doctors and mental health services. At the same time, they communicated less with family back home and used less traditional medicine. Despite having only a few therapy sessions, UMs reported high satisfaction with their care and their relationship with therapists, suggesting they can build trust in this new system. Looking ahead, future studies should investigate therapies that specifically help UMs manage their emotions and reduce trauma symptoms. Support services for children should focus on practical ways to encourage UMs to stay in therapy and receive enough sessions, while always considering their background and usual ways of seeking help.