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Healthcare
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Advancing Mental Well-Being and Health Equity in Marginalized Communities
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Advancing Mental Well-Being and Health Equity in Marginalized Communities

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Community Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2859

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yok-Fong Paat

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social Work, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Interests: health behavior; health promotion; violence; child well-being; community health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advancing mental well-being and equity is vital for effectively addressing systematic health disparities in the quality of care and health outcomes in marginalized communities. Vulnerable and at-risk communities—such as economically disadvantaged groups, racial-ethnic minorities, gender minorities and LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants and refugees, formerly incarcerated individuals, homeless individuals, survivors of violence, and uninsured or underinsured individuals—frequently confront disproportionate mental health challenges owing to the cumulative effects of greater stress exposure, perpetuating structural inequalities, discrimination, trauma, violence, stigma, and poverty. These adverse experiences can elevate their risks for post-traumatic stress disorders, depression, anxiety, social isolation, loneliness, and other mental health challenges. At-risk populations also face structural barriers in accessing culturally and linguistically competent mental health care and services, further perpetuating the cycle of disadvantages and marginalization. Advancing mental health equity entails addressing the broader social determinants of mental health and reducing systemic barriers to care. Through greater understanding of the marginalized communities and effective implementation of culturally responsive mental health promotion strategies, we can empower our communities to thrive and cultivate a society that fosters resilience.

In this Special Issue, original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and conceptual papers are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Understanding the impact of social determinants of mental health;
  • Risk and protective factors of community mental health;
  • Cultural competence in mental health care and services;
  • Innovative strategies for enhancing mental health equity;
  • Mental health of vulnerable and at-risk populations;
  • Different mental health challenges that marginalized communities face;
  • Promoting recovery and resilience.

I look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Yok-Fong Paat
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mental health promotion
  • psychological disorders
  • mental health disparities
  • social determinants of mental health
  • at-risk and vulnerable populations
  • marginalized communities

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 242 KiB  
Article
Mental Health Outcomes Among Female Ukrainian Refugees in Germany—A Mixed Method Approach Exploring Resources and Stressors
by Adekunle Adedeji, Stella Kaltenbach, Franka Metzner, Viktoriia Kovach, Stefan Rudschinat, Isabel Marin Arrizabalaga and Johanna Buchcik
Healthcare 2025, 13(3), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030259 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 777
Abstract
Background: Mental health outcomes among female refugees are complex and multifaceted. This study examines the mental health outcomes and coping resources of female Ukrainian refugees in Germany using a mixed methods approach with qualitative focus groups and quantitative assessments. Methods: This study employs [...] Read more.
Background: Mental health outcomes among female refugees are complex and multifaceted. This study examines the mental health outcomes and coping resources of female Ukrainian refugees in Germany using a mixed methods approach with qualitative focus groups and quantitative assessments. Methods: This study employs a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Three focus group discussions with fifteen participants were conducted in Hamburg in April 2023. A stepwise qualitative data analysis was done using a deductive coding technique. The quantitative analysis focused on descriptive statistics to summarize the data and provide an overview of participants’ mental health and well-being. Results: Our findings show that 43% of participants reported anxiety symptoms, and 21% showed signs of depression—many experienced isolation and disconnection and were struggling with cultural adaptation and the emotional toll of displacement. Despite challenges, participants utilized various coping strategies, such as staying active, volunteering, and seeking community support. However, significant barriers to accessing mental health services, especially for children, were identified. Conclusions: The study underscores the need for tailored interventions, including language support, accessible mental health resources, and community engagement, to foster resilience and well-being. It highlights the importance of comprehensive support systems for refugee populations in host countries, such as active lifestyles, social support, volunteer work, and successful integration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Mental Well-Being and Health Equity in Marginalized Communities)
20 pages, 1011 KiB  
Article
Mental Health Challenges and Barriers to Veterans’ Adjustment to Civilian Life on the U.S.–Mexico Border
by Yok-Fong Paat, Angela V. Dorado, Nathan W. Myers, Andie Martinez and Shawna Scully
Healthcare 2025, 13(3), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030220 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1434
Abstract
Background: Seeking mental health care is crucial for supporting effective reintegration among veterans. The U.S.–Mexico border presents a compelling and urgent case for study due to its proximity to economically marginalized and medically underserved areas, where the availability and accessibility of services are [...] Read more.
Background: Seeking mental health care is crucial for supporting effective reintegration among veterans. The U.S.–Mexico border presents a compelling and urgent case for study due to its proximity to economically marginalized and medically underserved areas, where the availability and accessibility of services are often limited. Objective: This study explored veterans’ mental health challenges and factors that hindered their adjustment to civilian life on the U.S.–Mexico border. Methods: A total of 36 veterans were recruited using purposive sampling from a mental health agency located in Southwestern Texas on the U.S.–Mexico border between November 2023 and May 2024 to complete an in-depth semi-structured interview and a brief survey. Results: Using thematic analysis, we found six themes associated with our study: (1) mental health struggles, (2) enduring military-influenced mindset, (3) adjustment to civilian life, (4) strained family relationships, (5) past victimization and discrimination, and (6) barriers to opportunities and mental health care. Conclusion: Understanding veterans’ mental health well-being and their prospects for integration into the civilian world is critical for identifying risk and protective factors that can inform the development of targeted health promotion initiatives, strengthen the implementation of equitable health care efforts, and support strategies for enhancing treatment access that address the unique needs of veterans in the border region. Policy and practice implications are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Mental Well-Being and Health Equity in Marginalized Communities)
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