A randomized controlled trial testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a mental health Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment among refugees in Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Among refugees residing in countries of first asylum, such as Malaysia, high rates of psychological distress call for creative intervention responses.

AIMS: This study examines implementation of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model promoting emotional well-being and access to services.

METHOD: The one-session intervention was implemented in community settings by refugee facilitators during 2017 to 2020. 140 Participants including Afghan (n = 43), Rohingya (n = 41), and Somali (n = 56) refugees were randomized to receive either the intervention at baseline, or to a waitlist control group. At 30 days post-intervention, all participants completed a post-assessment. Additionally, after completing the intervention, participants provided feedback on SBIRT content and process.

RESULTS: Findings indicate the intervention was feasible to implement. Among the full sample, Refugee Health Screening-15 emotional distress scores reduced significantly among participants in the intervention group when compared to those in the waitlist control group. Examining findings by nationality, only Afghan and Rohingya participants in the intervention condition experienced significant reductions in distress scores compared to their counterparts in the control condition. Examining intervention effects on service access outcomes, only Somali participants in the intervention condition experienced significant increases in service access compared to the control condition.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate the potential value of this SBIRT intervention, warranting further research.