Telephone Therapy: A Promising Solution for Refugee Children’s Mental Health

Refugee children struggling with mental health issues may find relief through a novel form of telephone-based therapy, according to a pioneering study by the University of Surrey. Conducted in Lebanon's Beqa’a region, the research revealed that children who received telephone therapy experienced significant reductions in mental health symptoms and were more likely to complete treatment compared to those receiving in-person care.

The findings come at a critical time, as millions of forcibly displaced children face the dual challenges of trauma and limited access to mental health care.

Key Findings From the Study
In this randomized controlled trial, researchers worked with 20 Syrian refugee children aged 8 to 17 years, all of whom met diagnostic criteria for conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Half of the participants received traditional in-person therapy, while the other half were treated via a telephone-adapted version of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (t-CETA), a cognitive behavioral therapy program.

The results showed that 60% of children in the telephone group completed the full course of therapy, compared to none in the in-person group. Furthermore, 90% of the telephone therapy group received at least some treatment, compared to just 60% in the in-person therapy group. The study highlights the flexibility of telephone therapy, which allowed families to overcome logistical barriers such as travel and scheduling conflicts.

Why It Matters
Telephone-delivered therapy addresses significant challenges faced by refugee families, including stigma surrounding mental health care and a lack of understanding about treatment options. The approach also demonstrates the potential to improve access in low-resource settings like Lebanon, where the Syrian refugee crisis has overwhelmed mental health care systems.

By training local lay counselors to deliver therapy under professional supervision, the study offers a culturally relevant and scalable solution. This method not only reduces the need for specialized clinicians but also leverages mobile phones, which are widely available among refugee families.