Abstract
Background : People from Nepal who have migrated to and settled in the UK are forming a fast growing ethnic minority group. A small number of studies have highlighted concerns about the lack of understanding of mental health problems and awareness of mental health services amongst groups of Nepalese people living in the UK. However there have not been any investigations into how they conceptualise mental health and respond to their mental health needs. Moreover, there have not been any studies on the younger Nepalese population. Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective perspectives of young adults from the Nepalese community on mental health. Method : The study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Five young Nepalese adults (average age of 25.2) were recruited using purposive sampling strategy and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: One master theme was developed to demonstrate participants’ perception and experience of psychological distress and/or mental health issues: ‘viewing mental health differently’. Three themes were further developed to explain the master theme, which included ‘understanding mental health’, ‘recognising and solving problems: focus on self and others’; and, ‘closeness and escapism: focus on family and the community’. Conclusions: The findings were discussed in terms of existing literature on other ethnic minority groups and theories on somatisation of mental illness and biculturism. The implications of the findings are also discussed.