A Civilised Society: Mental Health Provision for Refugees and Asylum-seekers in England and Wales

Restrictive policies on healthcare, education,accommodation, welfare support and employment are functioning to socially exclude and marginalise refugees and asylum-seekers, both exacerbating existing mental health problems and causing mental distress.

Current government policy is inherently contradictory. On the one hand mental health policy recognises the increased vulnerability of asylum-seekers and refugees and the need to support them. On the other hand asylum and immigration policy creates an environment which is having a devastating impact on the mental health, wellbeing and long-term integration prospects of refugees and asylum-seekers.

Mind’s latest research has found that despite experiencing high levels of mental distress, refugees and asylum-seekers face many challenges accessing mental health services in England and Wales.

Read full report here

http://www.mind.org.uk/assets/0000/5696/Refugee_Report_1.pdf