Mid Sweden University

Background:Socially marginalised groups tend to have higher rates of mental disorders than the general populationand can be difficult to engage in health care. Providing mental health care for these groups represents a particularchallenge, and evidence on good practice is required. Thisstudy explored the experiences and views of experts in 14European countries regarding mental health care for six socially marginalised groups: long-term unemployed; street sexworkers; homeless; refugees/asylum seekers; irregular migrants and members of the travelling communities.Methods:Two highly deprived areas were selected in the capital cities of 14 countries, and experts were interviewed foreach of the six marginalised groups. Semi-structured interviews with case vignettes were conducted to exploreexperiences of good practice and analysed using thematic analysis.Results:In a total of 154 interviews, four components of good practice were identified across all six groups: a) establishingoutreach programmes to identify and engage with individuals with mental disorders; b) facilitating access to services thatprovide different aspects of health care, including mental health care, and thus reducing the need for further referrals; c)strengthening the collaboration and co-ordination betweendifferent services; and d) disseminating information onservices both to marginalised groups and to practitioners in the area.Conclusions:Experts across Europe hold similar views on what constitutes good practice in mental health care formarginalised groups. Care may be improved through better service organisation, coordination and information.