Rethinking the ‘global’ in Global Mental Health: lessons for the care of asylum seekers and refugees in high-income countries

Despite having more developed health systems, high-income countries continue to face significant gaps in access to and availability of mental healthcare services for marginalised groups, such as asylum seekers and refugees. Drawing on principles from Global Mental Health (GMH), we argue that approaches originally developed and tested in resource-limited settings can strengthen efforts to address these gaps. We emphasise the value of participatory approaches, the need for greater attention to social determinants of mental health, and the necessity of centring lived experiences in care. We also explore how community-initiated care approaches can expand culturally and experientially attuned support. We also discuss the challenges of task-sharing models, including training, supervision and provider burnout, and the increasingly restrictive policy contexts in which care is delivered. In addition, we consider the potential of digital tools in addressing the mental healthcare needs of asylum seekers and refugees in high-income countries. Through examples from emerging research and practice, we illustrate how rethinking the ‘global’ in Global Mental Health requires addressing mental healthcare needs within high-income countries as well, particularly among asylum seekers and refugees.