Living on the edge: ‘trauma’ of asylum process adds to mental health problems
The Irish Times - Monday, November 1, 2010 by  PAMELA DUNCAN

Living in accommodation centres adversely affects the mental health of asylum seekers, isolates them from the local community and limits their integration and understanding of society, according to an Irish study.

The Comparison of Self- reported Health Healthcare utilisation between Asylum Seekers and Refugees study indicates that asylum seekers are three times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder and twice more likely to report depression and anxiety than refugees.  Other studies have indicated that refugees are 10 times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress than the general population. 

The authors of the Irish study, published by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, noted that asylum seekers and refugees experienced the same pre-migration stressors, such as lack of food and water or being close to death.  However, it said that asylum seekers experienced a higher level of post-migration stressors. These included dissatisfaction regarding the length of the asylum process and asylum seekers’ inability to work, which is known to lead to mental health problems and issues of self esteem.

The findings were referred to in a submission to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children by psychiatrists Dr Niall Crumlish of St James’s Hospital and Dr Pat Bracken of Bantry General Hospital, Cork. Dr Crumlish noted that “inherent trauma” of the asylum process added to mental health problems for asylum seekers. “They have insecure residency status and live in constant fear of repatriation,” the submission said.

In 2009 there were 314 referrals to the Psychology Service for Refugees and Asylum Seekers and 1,900 appointments were given, according to the HSE.