Background: Many newly arrived refugees have poor mental health and limited health knowledge, which can make it difficult to establish themselves in a new country. In a Swedish national EU project cultural mediators who works with civic- and health communication for newly arrived refugees were trained to become study circle leaders in mental health. After the 6-day in-depth course on mental health and well-being they will run such circles within the establishment program for refugees in Sweden.

Methods/objective: The aim of the study was to examine what the cultural mediators perceived that they learned through participation in the course. A qualitative study where data was collected through ten individual interviews with cultural mediators who participated in the course on mental health and well-being in the year 2020. A semi-structured interview guide was used, the interviews recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Thereafter analysed through thematic analysis. 

Results: Two themes - theoretical and practical knowledge – were found. Theoretical knowledge consisted of three subthemes: In-depth knowledge and increased understanding of mental health, New specific facts knowledge, and How to obtain and assess health information. Practical knowledge consisted of two subthemes: Increased knowledge of practical exercises and methods, and How to assess participants' mood, respond and guide.

Conclusion: Participation in the education contributes to increased knowledge, reflection, practical skills and confidence regarding promotion of mental health of newly arrived refugees at group level, i.e. to increased mental health literacy.