Mental Health of Refugees

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Lindert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Displaced Persons ◽  
Forced Displacement ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Health Need ◽  
The Individual

People who are forcibly displaced are forced to flee by serious threats to fundamental human rights, caused by factors such as persecution, armed conflict, and indiscriminate violence. Contemporary drivers of forced displacement are increasingly complex and interrelated. They include population growth, food insecurity, and water scarcity, at times compounded and multiplied by the effects of climate change. A refugee is someone who fled his or her home and country owing to “a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion,” according to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are people who have not crossed an international border but were forced to move to a different region than the one they call home within their own country. People who cannot return home without serious risk to their human rights have specific needs. Forced displacement, both within a country and to other countries, is a major life event that abruptly changes environmental living conditions, such as social networks, language, and cultural environment of the displaced populations. The changes in environmental living conditions and disruptions in life challenge both the individual and the families of the displaced persons. Both types of forced displacement challenge adaptational mechanisms of individuals and families. Accordingly, the challenges can contribute to changes in mental health and mental disorders. However, estimates of mental health, mental disorders, and mental health determinants vary across and between forcibly displaced persons. This heterogeneity in estimates is associated with differences between refugee groups and with methodological difficulties in assessing refugees’ mental health. Instruments to assess mental health need to be culture-grounded and gender-sensitive to capture the scope and extent of refugees’ mental health and mental disorders. Based on reliable and valid instrument needs for assessing mental health and mental disorders, determinants can be identified and intervention can be developed and evaluated.

scholarly journals An integrative study of five biological clocks in somatic and mental health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Jansen ◽  
Josine Verhoeven ◽  
Laura KM Han ◽  
Karolina A Aberg ◽  
Edwin CGJ van den Oord ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Biological Clocks ◽  
Integrative Study ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACTBiological clocks have been developed at different molecular levels and were found to be more advanced in the presence of somatic illnesses and mental disorders. However, it is unclear whether different biological clocks reflect similar aging processes and determinants. In ~3000 subjects, we examined whether 5 biological clocks (telomere length, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic clocks) were interrelated and associated to somatic and mental health determinants. Correlations between biological clocks were small (all r<0.2), indicating little overlap. The most consistent associations with the advanced biological clocks were found for male sex, higher BMI, metabolic syndrome, smoking and depression. As compared to the individual clocks, a composite index of all five clocks showed most pronounced associations with health determinants. The large effect sizes of the composite index and the low correlation between biological clocks, indicate that one’s biological age is best reflected by combining aging measures from multiple cellular levels.

A new humanitarian emergency: Refugees and mental health in Turkey

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S9-S9 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Küey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Forced Displacement ◽  
Humanitarian Emergency ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Displaced People ◽  
The Mediterranean

Warfare in different parts of the world has led to a humanitarian emergency: forced displacement of millions of people. Global forced displacement in 2014 was the highest displacement on record since WW 2. By the end-2014, 59.5 million individuals forcibly displaced worldwide, as a result of persecution, armed conflicts, general violence, wars, or human rights violations. The number of individuals forced to leave their homes per day reached to 42,500 in 2014, hence, increased 4 times in the last 4 years. Top five refugee hosting countries are Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran, Ethiopia and Jordan. While Turkey hosted 1.6 million forced displaced people in 2014; it is estimated that this number reached 2.5 million by the end of 2015.Forced displacement of people due to warfare may be considered as a psychosocial earthquake. Especially after the deaths of thousands of them in the Mediterranean in the last couple years has brought this issue sharply into the focus of the whole world. While the deaths of the forced displaced people on across the borders of the whole world in the first nine months of 2014 were slightly over 4000; it reached the same number of human loss only in the Mediterranean region in 2015.Refugees fleeing with few possessions leading to neighboring or more developed countries face many life-threatening risks on the way, as they have nowhere to turn. A refugee is a person who has lost the past for an unknown future. Experiences of loss and danger are imprinted in their selves. It is shown that, in the short/medium term, 60% suffer from mental disorders, e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and dissociative disorders. In the long term, existing evidence suggests that mental disorders tend to be highly prevalent in war refugees even many years after resettlement. This increased risk may not only be a consequence of exposure to wartime trauma but may also be influenced by post-migration socioeconomic factors.In fact, “we are seeing here the immense costs of not ending wars, of failing to resolve or prevent conflicts.” Once more, psychiatry and mental health workers are facing the mental health consequences of persecution, general violence, wars, and human rights violations caused by the current prevailing economy-politics and socio-politics. So, a serious challenge here is avoiding the medicalization of social phenomena. This presentation will discuss the issue of forced displaced people considering it as a humanitarian tragedy with some examples of its mental health consequences from Turkey.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

Environmental Displacement in European Asylum Law

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Finn Myrstad ◽  
Vikram Kolmannskog
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Displaced Persons ◽  
Temporary Protection ◽  
European Court ◽  
Asylum Law ◽  
The Individual ◽  
International Border ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Environmental Displacement

AbstractEnvironmentally displaced persons can be included in several existing categories of protected persons under international law, but there may be a normative protection gap for many of those who cross an international border. This article looks at protection possibilities within the EU framework and national European legislations. Environmental displacement can arguably trigger temporary protection according to the EU Temporary Protection Directive. There may also be environmentally displaced persons who require longer-term or permanent protection. Drawing on the EU Qualification Directive and case-law from the European Court of Human Rights, one can argue that subsidiary protection should be granted in certain cases of extreme natural disaster or degradation. In less extreme cases, humanitarian asylum could be granted. Human rights principles such as non-refoulement could also be used to extend at least basic protection. In addition, legal labour migration could supply a work force, assist distressed countries and enhance protection of the individual. A strategy to meet the challenge of environmental displacement must also include climate change mitigation and external measures such as adaptation. Most of the displaced persons in the world today and in the near future do not arrive at the EU borders.

scholarly journals Effects of Happiness on Mental Health

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Gopal Chandra Mahakud ◽  
Ritika Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
Psychological Problem ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Psychic Disorders ◽  
As Stress ◽  
The Individual

The concept of mental health comprised to the health conditions of people without suffering any mental or psychological problem such as stress, depression, anxiety and other form of psychic disorders. In this regard it can be said that no one is free from and psychological, psycho-physical and psycho-social disorders from which we can derive that no one mentally healthy. But the concept of mental health defined free from the disorders those are prolonged and panic in nature. As the concept of mental health is subjective in nature, it varies from person to person. Besides free from the disorders, a person should pose some of the other positive characteristics to deal with the society effectively. Marry (1958) stated that, a person can be considered mentally healthy with the following characteristics such as (a) Positive attitudes toward himself/herself; (b) Realization of own potentialities through action; (c); Unification of in personality; (d) Degree of independence of social influences; (e) observations of the world around; and (f) Positive adapts to everyday life. Briefly, it can be said that positive mental health of the person make able to an individual to stand on his own two feet without making undue demands or impositions of others. In this regard the role of happiness in day to day life can make the individual more skilled to fight with different mental disorders. The present article is intended to find out the effects of happiness in day to day life in a social situation to deal with different mental disorders to make the individual mentally healthy and prosperous in life.

scholarly journals Mental health legislation in Botswana

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 68-70
Author(s):  
J. Maphisa Maphisa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
United Nations Convention ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Health Legislation

The Mental Disorders Act of 1969 is the primary legislation relating to mental health in Botswana. Despite the country not being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, its Act has a self-rated score of four out of five on compliance to human rights covenants. However, it can be argued that the Act does not adequately espouse a human rights- and patient-centred approach to legislation. It is hoped that ongoing efforts to revise the Act will address the limitations discussed in this article.

scholarly journals Mental health burden and unmet needs for treatment: a call for justice

2019 ◽  
Vol 216 (5) ◽  
pp. 241-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tea Dakić
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Economy ◽  
Conscious Capitalism ◽  
Health Burden ◽  
Research Investments

SummaryThe massive burden of mental disorders adversely affects global health, economy and human rights situations. Yet research investments are shifting from psychiatry toward other more cost-effective fields of medicine. This editorial calls for conscious capitalism and prioritisation of mental health by reflecting on mental health disparities through the prism of justice.

scholarly journals A musicoterapia em pacientes portadores de transtorno mental

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1054
Author(s):  
Vagner Marins Barcelos ◽  
Enéas Rangel Teixeira ◽  
Ana Beatriz de Nazareth Ribeiro ◽  
Lucas Duarte Braga da Silva ◽  
Diego Pereira Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychiatric Nursing ◽  
Complementary Method ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Salud Mental ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Nursing Health

RESUMOObjetivo: identificar os fatores positivos da musicoterapia em pacientes com transtornos mentais. Método: revisão integrativa, realizada de 2007-2017. As produções foram localizadas no mês de março de 2017, nas bases de dados Lilacs, BDEnf, Medline. Após sucessivas leituras dos artigos, foi selecionado 6 artigos, e os dados foram agrupados utilizando-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: foi observado que a musicoterapia pode ser utilizada como forma complementar de tratamento não farmacológico para auxiliar no restabelecimento do equilíbrio psíquico do indivíduo portador de transtornos mentais. Conclusão: com base no estudo apresentado, conclui-se que a musicoterapia como método terapêutico complementar atua de forma significativa na melhora do quadro clínico/psicológico do cliente, ao proporcionar melhora nas funções fisiológicas e cognitivas, sendo a restauração potencializada através do bem-estar, compartilhamento de suas emoções e a promoção da autonomia do paciente durante o cuidado. Descritores: Enfermagem; Enfermagem Psiquiátrica; Saúde; Saúde Mental; Musicoterapia; Pacientes.ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the positive factors of music therapy in patients with mental disorders. Method: integrative review, performed in 2007-2017. The productions were located in March 2017, on Lilacs, BDEnf and Medline databases. After successive readings of the articles, six articles were selected, and the data were grouped using a content analysis technique. Results: music therapy can be used as a complementary form of non-pharmacological treatment to assist in restoring mental equilibrium of the individual with mental disorders. Conclusion: Based on the presented study, music therapy, as a therapeutic complementary method, significantly improves the client’s clinical/psychological condition, when providing improvement in physiological and cognitive functions, maximizing the restoration through the well-being, sharing their emotions and promoting autonomy of the patient during the care. Descriptors: Nursing; Psychiatric Nursing; Health; Mental Health; Music Therapy; Patiens.RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar los factores positivos de la musicoterapia en pacientes con trastornos mentales. Método: revisión integrativa, realizada en 2007-2017. Las producciones fueron localizadas en el mes de marzo de 2017 en las bases de datos BDEnf, Lilacs, Medline. Después sucesivas lecturas de los artículos, se seleccionaron seis artículos y se agruparon los datos mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: se observó que la musicoterapia puede ser utilizada como una forma complementaria de tratamiento no farmacológico para ayudar a restablecer el equilibrio mental del individuo portador de trastornos mentales. Conclusión: según el estudio presentado, se concluye que la musicoterapia como método terapéutico complementar actúa en forma significativa en la mejora de la evolución clínica y/o psicológica del cliente, al proporcionar mejoras en las funciones cognitivas y fisiológicas, siendo la restauración maximizada a través del bienestar, compartimiento de sus emociones y la promoción de la autonomía del paciente durante el tratamiento. Descriptores: Enfermería; Enfermería Psiquiátrica; Salud; Salud Mental; Musicoterapia; Pacientes.

scholarly journals The Role of Family and Community in The Treatment of Mental Disorder Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 001-005
Author(s):  
Tutut Pujianto ◽  
Retno Ardanari Agustin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Family Role ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Individual

Mental health is an integral part of health, and a condition that affects the physical, mental, and  social  development  of  the  individual  optimally.  Mental  disorder  is  disturbances  in:  cognitive, volition, emotion (affective), and actions (psychomotor). Mental disorder is a collection of abnormal circumstances, whether physically related, or mentally. It is divided into two groups, namely: mental disorder  (neurosis)  and  mental  illness  (psychosis).  Mental  disorder  is  caused  by  some  of  the  above causes affected simultaneously or coincidence occurs. The purpose of this study was to increase the role of family and society in the treatment of mental disorder patients which was consequently could reduce the number of mental disorders patients This research used obsevational design with descriptive analy- sis. The subjects were family members who treat mental disorder patients as much as 16 respondents. The data collection was done in October 2012. The family role data grouped into appropriate and inappro- priate  category.  The  research  found  that  11  people  (68.75%)  in  the  category  of  inappropriate,  and appropriate by 5 people (31.25%), with average family role of 63.19%. The higher of inappropriate category was because 9 respondents (56.25%) in the age of elderly (> 50 years). This condition caused a decrease in the ability to perform daily activities, including health treatment. There were 4 patients who have been treated for 7-14 years, so the family feels accustomed to the condition of the patient. There were 8 people (50%) in productive age treated the patients, so it could not be done continuously. Based on these conditions, there should be efforts to increase knowledge and willingness of the patients and families, in caring for patients with mental disorders. The examples of such activities were to consult with the nearest health employees, and report to the health worker if there is a risky condition immedi- ately.

scholarly journals Living under siege: resilience, hopelessness, and psychological distress among Palestinian students in the Gaza Strip

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Veronese ◽  
Alessandro Pepe ◽  
Marwan Diab ◽  
Yasser Abu Jamey ◽  
Ashraf Kagee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Mental Symptoms ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Moving from an approach oriented to adaptation and functioning, the current paper explored the network of cumulative associations between the effects of the siege and resilience on mental health. Methods We sought to explore the impact of the siege on psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and stress) and the moderating effect of resilience and hopelessness in a sample of 550 Palestinian university students. We hypothesized that the siege effect would impact psychological distress so that the more people were affected by the siege, the more mental symptoms of common mental disorders they would report. We also expected that the siege would negatively impact both resilience and participants' hopelessness. Results Findings showed that higher scores on the scale measuring effect of the siege were associated with hopelessness. Furthermore, living under siege compromised participants’ resilience. The more the siege affected individuals, the lower resilience were protecting participants mental health and the more hopelessness was exposing them to anxiety, stress, and depression. Conclusion Our findings draw attention to how the ongoing violation of human rights influences people's mental health in Gaza. Implications for clinicians and policymakers are discussed.

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