AMIR

The AMIR research group focuses on improving methods for identifying symptoms of mental illness, primarily among refugees.

The AMIR (assessment of mental health and early intervention for refugees) research group was formed in connection with the AMIR project being initiated in 2016. Since then, we have worked on a number of projects (SAHA, TRT, National Board of Health and Welfare) concerning screening, assessment and intervention of mental illness among refugees. At present, we are also conducting a survey on mental health in the current situation in Sweden (COV-19).

We who work in the project are clinical psychologists, researchers with PhDs and doctoral students. Our research is close to society and focuses on improving the identification of mental illness symptoms, as well as preventing and managing mental illness.

Ongoing Research Projects

Publications

Leiler, A., Hollifield, M., Wasteson, E., & Bjärtå, A. (2019). Suicidal ideation and severity of distress among refugees residing in asylum accommodations in Sweden. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(15), 2751. Länk till artikeln

Bjärtå, A., Leiler, A., Wasteson, E., Meurling, J., & Ekdahl, J. (2019). Kartläggning och bedömning av psykisk ohälsa bland flyktingar. Best Practice-Psykiatri/Neurologi, Mars, 2019. Länk till artikeln

Leiler, A., Bjärtå, A., Ekdahl J., & Wasteson, E. (2018). Mental Health and Quality of Life among Asylum Seekers and Refugees Living in Refugee Housing Facilities in Sweden. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 54, 543-551. Länk till artikeln

Bjärtå, A., Leiler, A., Ekdahl, J., & Wasteson, E. (2018). Assessing severity of psychological distress among refugees, using the Refugee Health Screener, 13-items version. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 206, 834-839. Länkt till artikeln

Sarkadi, A., Bjärtå, A., Leiler, A., & Salari, R. (2019). Is the refugee health screener a useful tool when screening 14-18 year old refugee adolescents for emotional distress? Journal of Refugee Studies, 32 (special issue), 141-150. Länk till artikeln

Sarkadi, A. et al. (2020). Evaluation of the Teaching Recovery Techniques community- based intervention for unaccompanied refugee youth experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms (Swedish UnaccomPanied yOuth Refugee Trial; SUPpORT): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 21, Art no 63. Länk till artikeln

Sarkadi, A. et al. (In press). Evaluation of the Teaching Recovery Techniques community- based intervention for accompanied refugee children experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms (Accompanied refugeesS In Sweden Trial; ASsIST): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ open.

Leiler, A., Wasteson, E., Zakrisson, I., & Bjärtå, A. (Submitted). Waiting for life to begin, wishing it would end: suicidal ideation among individuals at asylum accommodations