Market Research Focus Group Findings on Making 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Accessible in Georgia’s Refugee and Immigrant Communities
On May 23, The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) submitted a proposal to the ESL/Language Accessibility Subcommittee of the Georgia 988 Communications Workgroup for two focus group discussions with experienced CVT clinicians to explore ways to make Georgia’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) more accessible to the state’s refugee and immigrant communities.
The discussions produced insights in three areas: 988 messaging, community outreach, and language access.
We invite you to review the executive summary below for a concise overview of the study's key findings and to gain insights into the existing awareness levels of the 988 program in these areas. You can also find additional Statewide Awareness Level Reports here.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Authored by: Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)
Methodology: Two focus group discussions were conducted with experienced CVT clinicians to explore ways to make Georgia’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline more accessible to refugee and immigrant communities. These were complemented by additional research and CVT’s previous experience with diverse populations.
Key Findings:
Barriers: Limited awareness and distrust of government services; language barriers and cultural stigma associated with mental health.
Messaging Gaps: Messaging using Western medical terms like “mental health” and “suicide” can be problematic in certain cultural contexts.
Community Engagement: Many refugees and immigrants trust community leaders and service providers more than government services.
Top Recommendations:
Avoid using stigmatized terms like “suicide” in messaging.
Increase outreach through trusted community leaders and organizations.
Expand language options and ensure tele-interpreter services are available.
Top Things to Watch Out For: Potential misunderstandings during 988 calls due to language barriers, which could lead to dangerous outcomes like escalation during police interactions.
Surprising Findings: In some cultures, mental health issues are described using physical symptoms, making it harder to identify crises.
Important Note: Confidentiality is key, as many immigrants fear government mistreatment.
