AUTHOR=Giovanoli Evack Jennifer , Abongomera Charles , Okuma James , Kurscheid Johanna , Melake Yeabio , Chernet Afona , Ghebreghiorghis Tesfalem , Verjans Anna , Vanobberghen Fiona , Abongomera George , Fehr Jan , Morina Naser , Paris Daniel H. 
  
TITLE=Mental Health and Resilience in Eritrean and Somali Refugees in Switzerland: A Cross-Sectional Study
  
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
  
VOLUME=Volume 71 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608308
  
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2026.1608308
  
ISSN=1661-8564
  
ABSTRACT=ObjectivesIn this study, we determined the frequency of clinically relevant mental health conditions among Eritrean and Somali refugees in Basel and Zurich, Switzerland and assessed their levels of resilience.MethodsA cross-sectional study among refugees aged ≥16 years involved validated questionnaires, screening for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), somatic disorders, anxiety, depression, and assessments of alcohol use and resilience.ResultsThe 102 participants were young (median age 34 years), Eritrean (N = 88; 86%), males (N = 62), with long periods of staying in Switzerland (median 8.6 years). Almost three-quarters (N = 69/99; 70%) had high resilience scores (median 86). We found low frequencies of moderate or severe symptoms of PTSD (7%), anxiety (0%) and depression (1%). However, symptoms for somatic disorders (18%) and harmful levels of alcohol use (12%) were more common.ConclusionWhile the overall levels of resilience are impressively high, a large proportion of participants exhibited symptoms of somatic disorders and harmful levels of alcohol use - well beyond the early adaptation phase. This highlights the need for long-term mental healthcare beyond the time of arrival to ensure their wellbeing.