446 Access to mental health and psychosocial support among migrants in transit in Colombia

OP 18: Mental Health 1, B304 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30 Extended migration journeys expose migrants to significant mental health risks, yet meeting their mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs remains challenging. Migrants are least likely to engage and remain in MHPSS programs during migration, reinforcing inequities and delays in care. Addressing these challenges requires multilevel, systemic solutions that account for the complex factors influencing access to MHPSS. Aims This study aimed to characterize the relationship among these factors and their collective influence on access to MHPSS services among migrants in transit in Colombia. Methods This study was conducted in four migrant shelters in Bogotá and Ipiales, Colombia, two key transit points for migrants. Group model building (GMB) workshops were used to explore factors influencing MHPSS access and identify key leverage points for improving service delivery. A total of 10 workshops (seven with migrants, three with shelter staff) were conducted between November 2023 and March 2024. Workshops followed a structured two-session format: (1) identifying access-related variables and their relationships, (2) refining causal loops and prioritizing leverage points. Data from these workshops were consolidated into a stock-and-flow diagram describing access to MHPSS. Results Findings revealed multiple delays in access to MHPSS, including low awareness, barriers to help-seeking, and disruptions in service initiation and continuity. Factors and processes that influenced these delays included knowledge and access to information, legal status and mobility, social determinants, and the affordability, availability, and quality of MHPSS services for diverse populations. Conclusion Improving MHPSS access for migrants in transit requires targeted interventions addressing MHPSS awareness, help-seeking behaviors, and structural barriers. Findings inform context-adapted solutions, including mobile MHPSS services, peer-led awareness campaigns, and flexible intervention models to enhance engagement and retention. Future research should explore scalable strategies to reduce access inequities and strengthen inclusive, responsive MHPSS systems for migrants in transit.