Psychosocial support for Arabic-speaking refugees residing in Switzerland (Sui app): A mixed-methods randomised controlled trial

Introduction Refugees’ quality of life (QOL) is significantly impacted by the challenging post-migration context. Digital mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services offer scalable, culturally adaptable solutions. This study evaluates the Sui app, co-developed with Arabic-speaking refugees in Switzerland to address barriers to mental healthcare and promote psychosocial well-being. Methods A mixed-methods randomised controlled trial assessed the app’s impact on QOL and mental health outcomes among Arabic-speaking refugees. Participants were randomised (2:2:1) into app-only (Sui, n = 68), app with peer support (Sui+, n = 68), or waitlist (WL, n = 34). The primary outcome was QOL (WHOQOL-BREF), secondary outcomes included mental health indicators (e.g., depressive, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and somatic symptoms). Quantitative data were collected at baseline, post (8 weeks), and follow-up (16 weeks). Semi-structured interviews explored user experiences. Ethical approval was obtained, and all participants gave informed consent. Results Intention-to-treat analyses (N = 170) using linear mixed-effects models revealed no significant group-by-time interaction effects, indicating that changes over time did not differ significantly between the three groups for QOL (e.g., psychological domain: F(2134.67) = 1.85, p = .16) and for any of the secondary outcomes at post-assessment. Small but significant effects emerged at follow-up between active groups. Median app usage for was 13.1 min, with 95 participants successfully logging in. Qualitative findings identified barriers such as unclear onboarding, technical issues, and limited applicability. Nonetheless, participants expressed general satisfaction with the app’s content and peer support. Conclusions The Sui app was well-accepted and its context-sensitive design offers promise for digital MHPSS services for refugees. However, lack of significant outcome improvements and limited engagement underscore the need for technical refinements, stronger onboarding, and more visible peer support.