ABSTRACT Asylum seekers face higher mental health risks than quota and other refugee groups. In Finland, reception centres organise health and social services for asylum seekers. This study examines how asylum seekers make sense of mental health and mental health support to help improve the services. This qualitative study involved ten semi‐structured interviews. Asylum seekers were interviewed in person in four reception centres across Finland between November 2023 and March 2024. Interviews focused on mental health, mental health support, and reception centre environment. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcribed interviews. Asylum seekers viewed mental health through a holistic mind–body connection. Uncertainty about past, present, and future negatively impacted their mental health. Trust in two‐way conversational support from professionals was crucial. Asylum seekers employed self‐supportive strategies defined by collectivistic viewpoints. Meaningful activities served as distractions, though accessibility was influenced by reception centre locations. Reception centre professionals can support asylum seekers by providing personalised assistance and information about activities tailored to individual needs. Open communication, built on honest, consistent, and equal treatment, is essential. Educating professionals about asylum seekers' perceptions of mental health helps build cultural sensitivity and awareness. Providing psychoeducation to asylum seekers can foster a shared understanding and enhance the availability and effectiveness of mental health support.
Mankinen et al. (Wed,) studied this question.