Promoting equity in healthcare: Training materials on mental health and migration
A Suess-Schwend, A Ruiz-Azarola, G Fernández-Avagliano, A Millán-Carrasco, O Garzón-Arrabal, N Sayed-Ahmad Beiruti, A Ruiz-Gutiérrez, JA Castillo-Guijarro, P Cabo-Cires, O Leralta-PiñánAbstract
Background
According to recent studies, migrants and people in forced displacement are exposed to multiple health risks in their countries of origin, during the journey and in the countries of reception, including risks for their mental health. They highlight the relevance of health professionals receiving adequate training in respectful and culturally sensitive mental healthcare approaches. The presentation focuses on the development of training materials on mental health and migration, coordinated by the network Red ISIR Migración y Salud, Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain.
Objectives
The training materials aim at providing information and knowledge on culturally sensitive, respectful and human rights-based approaches for providing mental healthcare for migrants and people in forced displacement.
Results
The training materials were developed considering the topics and frameworks of an edited book on mental health and migration published by the Red ISIR Network in 2025, as well as the suggestions of the Red ISIR Network core group. The materials include video presentations, audiovisual materials, activities, and complementary lectures. The contents are based on a social determinants of health model, human rights framework, intersectionality approach, and interculturality perspective. The modules include contents related to theoretical frameworks, experiences, healthcare pathways, groups in situation of specific social vulnerability, health habits, health participation, as well as best practices and recommendations. They are structured in independent modules, in order to allow integration in training programmes for health professionals or postgraduate education.
Conclusions
The development of the training materials can be identified as a relevant tool for improving equity in healthcare by promoting the provision of respectful, culturally sensitive and human rights-based healthcare for migrants and people in forced displacement.
Key messages
• Migrants and people in forced displacement are exposed to multiple health risks in the migration process, including risks for their mental health.
• Implementing specialised training can contribute to the provision of respectful, culturally sensitive and human rights-based mental healthcare for migrants and people in forced displacement.