Promoting mental health and social inclusion among refugees and asylum seekers in Greece: a practice-based pilot evaluation of a peer-delivered PM+ and case management intervention
Chrysovalantis PapathanasiouPurpose
This paper aims to present a practice-based pilot evaluation of a peer-delivered multicomponent psychosocial intervention for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece. The intervention combined Problem Management Plus (PM+), addressing the mental health dimension of distress through structured psychological strategies, with peer case management (PCM), addressing the social inclusion-oriented dimension through service navigation, practical support and linkage to community resources.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a non-randomised pre–post design. Adult Arabic-, Farsi- and French-speaking refugees and asylum seekers receiving community-based psychosocial support in Athens were enrolled during the 2023 implementation year. Of 61 eligible participants, 47 completed the full programme, including five PM+ sessions, needs-led PCM and both baseline and post-intervention assessments. Outcomes were assessed using the GAD-7, PHQ-9 and PSYCHLOPS.
Findings
Participants showed statistically significant reductions in anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms and person-generated psychological distress from baseline to post-intervention, with large within-group effect sizes. Exploratory analyses suggested that the degree of change varied across some participant characteristics.
Research limitations/implications
The absence of a control group, completer-analysis design, small sample size and lack of follow-up mean that findings should be interpreted as preliminary practice-based evidence rather than definitive evidence of effectiveness.
Practical implications
The model illustrates how trained peer workers can combine low-intensity psychological support with case management, service navigation and practical support in a real-world community setting.
Social implications
PCM may function as a social inclusion-oriented component by supporting access to services, resources and community supports, although social inclusion outcomes were not directly measured.
Originality/value
This study contributes practice-based evidence on an integrated peer-delivered model in which PM+ targets mental health symptoms while PCM addresses service access and social inclusion-related barriers among refugees and asylum seekers.