Self-reported mental health effects of changing migration policies on immigrant health and allied care professionals in the UK
1 Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
2 School of Allied Health and Social Care, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.
Research Article
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2024, 19(03), 479–494.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2024.19.3.0665
Publication history:
Received on 05 August 2024; revised on 18 September 2024; accepted on 20 September 2024
Abstract:
This study explores the impact of changing migration policies on the mental health of immigrant health professionals in the UK and their access to mental health services. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among ninety-six immigrant health professionals and allied health and care workers in the UK’s health and social care sector. The mental well-being of study participants was measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Mood changes post-migration, use of mental health services and perceived effectiveness of these services were assessed using direct survey questions.
The majority of respondents reported average levels of mental well-being. A significant portion of the study participants experienced a decline in mental health post-migration. The study found a strong association between ethnicity and mental well-being, with certain ethnic groups reporting worse outcomes (p=0.003, p<0.05). Despite reported mental health concerns, only a few sought professional help from mental health services or support groups, and even fewer found these effective.
This study shows significant mental health challenges and poor service access faced by immigrant health professionals in the UK, exacerbated by changing migration policies. Addressing these challenges is vital for the affected individuals and ensuring a thriving, diverse UK healthcare workforce.
Keywords:
Migration; Healthcare; Social Care; Mental Health; Policy
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Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0