Background: There is a gap in understanding of refugee mental health risks unique to urban areas of low-income countries.
Material: A qualitative rapid appraisal using focus group interviews with community stakeholders explored main stressors pervasive by Somali refugees in Nairobi, Kenya.
Discussion: This study identified the intersection of war trauma and daily stressors that affect both functional and structural challenges and risk of mental health issues among Somali urban refugees.
Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of understanding mental health in the broader context of community adversities, suggesting development of contextually informed interventions responsive to complex needs of urban refugees.
Keywords: Somali refugee; Urban refugee; community adversity; mental health; trauma.