Exploring Female Refugee Torture Survivors’ Needs and Experience Accessing Mental Health Services in Canada

The present study investigates the mental health needs of refugee women who survived politically motivated torture and identified barriers to professional counseling services in a community located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. This community-based pilot study (N = 20) adopted both quantitative and qualitative research components to enhance the validity and coherence of the information generated. The results showed that the torture survivors currently experienced clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) based on the DSM-IV criteria. In addition, the torture survivors identified (a) lasting and harmful effects of torture on their daily lives, (b) socio-economic-cultural barriers to mental health services, and (c) detrimental effects of torture on family relationships. The alternative treatment approach was further discussed of the recommendations for practice and policy.