Mental Health Challenges and Coping Strategies of Sudanese Refugee and Migrant Women in Egypt Post-2023 Conflict

Abstract This study highlights the mental health challenges and coping strategies of Sudanese refugee and migrant women in Egypt following the 2023 armed conflict in Sudan. Grounded in intersectionality theory and informed by psychosocial well-being frameworks, including the IASC Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) model, this research explores how intersecting factors such as gender, age, legal status, socioeconomic background, and displacement trajectories shape psychological outcomes. A two-phase qualitative design was employed: the first phase involved semi-structured interviews to examine lived experiences during the war and post-displacement adaptation; the second phase consisted of a focus group discussion with the same participants to co-develop practical, community-informed mental health support strategies. Thematic analysis revealed three core domains: (1) the psychological impact of war and displacement; (2) structural and institutional barriers in the host country, including limited access to services; and (3) adaptive coping mechanisms, particularly spiritual resilience, community support, and family support. Findings reveal that while displacement significantly exacerbates psychological distress, many women exhibit profound resilience, drawing on faith-based practices, cultural identity, and collective agency. However, the limited availability of formal mental health services, compounded by stigma and legal precarity, undermines recovery. Participants emphasized the need for accessible, culturally relevant interventions, such as peer support groups, mobile clinics, and integrated psychosocial care. This study contributes to the limited qualitative literature on displaced Sudanese women’s mental health and advocates for participatory, intersectional, and context-sensitive approaches in humanitarian mental health programming.