The lives of refugees are disrupted long before they migrate to another country. Refugees seek asylum because they face persecution in their country of origin due to political opinion, religion, race, or membership in a social group. Applicants for political asylum have one year from when they arrive in the U.S. to apply. Traumatic events and persecution in their country of origin may cause risk factors for refugee mental health concerns such as
- A lack of adequate shelter.
- Lack of economic opportunity.
- Exposure to violence and poverty.
What’s more, the trip to a new country is often full of traumatic experiences for refugees and their families. It can be difficult to adequately meet basic needs such as health care, nutrition, and shelter while on the run, which causes psychological distress.
Refugee Mental Health is Impacted Post-Migration
Resettlement is a complicated process that can negatively impact refugee mental health. Once asylum seekers arrive in the United States, they lose previous social support networks. The lack of support from family members and others with similar cultural backgrounds can cause feelings of disconnection and desperation.
Refugee families often experience poor living conditions in refugee camps, uncertain employment, and barriers to obtaining legal status in the United States. People dealing with these stressors over long periods can develop mental health conditions that require interventions such as mental health services. However, these services can be difficult or impossible to access, which means Mental health problems are left untreated.
Refugee children and adolescents can experience educational disruptions which cause difficulty in school. The development of refugee youth may also be affected by the severe traumatic experiences in their country of origin and during migration. The lack of financial resources, sub-par living conditions, language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, or family separation can also impact the mental health needs of refugee youth.
Mental Health Conditions Common Among Refugees
The ongoing stress involved in the process of leaving your country of origin and migrating to a host country due to persecution can cause a variety of mental health issues for refugees. The prevalence of these conditions varies based on the length of persecution, the number and severity of traumatic experiences, and the ease of finding appropriate social support, mental health services, and resettlement assistance in a host country. Here are the most common mental health conditions experienced by refugees.
Depression
When depression affects refugees’ mental health, they may feel overwhelmingly sad, lose interest in doing things they used to enjoy and feel hopeless about their future. Incidences of depression seem to improve the longer a refugee is in a host country as long as they have access to mental health services.
Anxiety
Refugees suffering from anxiety experience psychological and physical signs of anxiety including worried or intrusive thoughts, avoiding social situations, high blood pressure, trembling, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Agoraphobia.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is common in people who suffer traumatic experiences such as those refugees experience in their country of origin. The lack of access to food, housing, and health care post-migration can also contribute to PTSD in refugee populations.
Appropriate mental health interventions can help you and your family avoid or reduce the severity of mental health conditions. Without proper support, these conditions can lead to substance abuse, psychosis, or other severe forms of mental disorders.
Moving Through the Political Asylum Process Quickly May Help
The faster asylum seekers move through the political asylum process, the less likely they will suffer from mental health issues. A psychological evaluation from a qualified mental health professional can help you prove that your fear of persecution is well-founded and that returning to your home country would put your physical and mental health in danger. Our providers are skilled mental health professionals who understand the complexities of asylum cases, and the issues surrounding migrant families. We work to ensure you get the support you need for immigration court. The stronger your case, the better chance you have of gaining asylum so you can start your new life.
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