Impact of Covid-19 on the mental health needs of asylum seekers in Australia

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110054
Author(s):  
Sarah Mares ◽  
Kym Jenkins ◽  
Susan Lutton ◽  
Louise Newman AM
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Mental Health Needs

Objective: This paper highlights the significant mental health vulnerabilities of people who have sought asylum in Australia and their additional adversities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Australia’s policies in relation to asylum seekers result in multiple human rights violations and add significantly to mental health vulnerabilities. Despite a majority being identified as refugees, people spend years in personal and administrative limbo and are denied resettlement in Australia. Social isolation and other restrictions associated with Covid-19 and recent reductions in welfare and housing support compound their difficulties. The clinical challenges in working with people impacted by these circumstances and the role of psychiatrists and the RANZCP in advocacy are identified.

scholarly journals Mental Distress and Human Rights Violations During COVID-19: A Rapid Review of the Evidence Informing Rights, Mental Health Needs, and Public Policy Around Vulnerable Populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rahman ◽  
Rabab Ahmed ◽  
Modhurima Moitra ◽  
Laura Damschroder ◽  
Ross Brownson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Mental Health Needs

Background: COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts were abrupt and challenging for most countries with the protracted lockdown straining socioeconomic activities. Marginalized groups and individuals are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of the pandemic such as human rights abuses and violations which can lead to psychological distress. In this review, we focus on mental distress and disturbances that have emanated due to human rights restrictions and violations amidst the pandemic. We underscore how mental health is both directly impacted by the force of pandemic and by prevention and mitigation structures put in place to combat the disease.Methods: We conducted a review of relevant studies examining human rights violations in COVID-19 response, with a focus on vulnerable populations, and its association with mental health and psychological well-being. We searched PubMed and Embase databases for studies between December 2019 to July 2020. Three reviewers evaluated the eligibility criteria and extracted data.Results: Twenty-four studies were included in the systematic inquiry reporting on distress due to human rights violations. Unanimously, the studies found vulnerable populations to be at a high risk for mental distress. Limited mobility rights disproportionately harmed psychiatric patients, low-income individuals, and minorities who were at higher risk for self-harm and worsening mental health. Healthcare workers suffered negative mental health consequences due to stigma and lack of personal protective equipment and stigma. Other vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and refugees also experienced negative consequences.Conclusions: This review emphasizes the need to uphold human rights and address long term mental health needs of populations that have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic. Countries can embed a proactive psychosocial response to medical management as well as in existing prevention strategies. International human rights guidelines are useful in this direction but an emphasis should be placed on strengthening rights informed psychosocial response with specific strategies to enhance mental health in the long-term. We underscore that various fundamental human rights are interdependent and therefore undermining one leads to a poor impact on the others. We strongly recommend global efforts toward focusing both on minimizing fatalities, protecting human rights, and promoting long term mental well-being.

scholarly journals Meeting the mental health needs of refugees and asylum seekers

2014 ◽  
Vol 204 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panos Vostanis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Service Models ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers

SummaryMental health provision for diverse refugee populations is faced with a number of challenges, and requires the development and evaluation of flexible service models that maximise capacity and utilise existing non-specialist resources. Emerging therapeutic approaches should be applied in real settings, adapted to cultural needs and integrated with the other agencies involved.

Psychiatric Care of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Changing Perceptions Over a Decade

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 890-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Torr ◽  
Nicholas Lennox ◽  
Sally-Ann Cooper ◽  
Therese Rey-Conde ◽  
Robert S. Ware ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Problem Behaviours ◽  
Adults With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Training Opportunities

Objective: In light of developments in training and service provision, the aim of the present study was to compare two state-wide surveys, undertaken in 1994 and in 2004, of psychiatrists about their perceptions of their training and psychiatric treatment of adults with intellectual disabilities who also have mental health needs. Methods: A 50-item self-administered questionnaire was developed for the 2004 survey, based on the 1994 study. This was sent to all 624 Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry registered in Victoria at the time. A series of questions was asked based on workload, training, the role of psychiatry in intellectual disabilities, opinions on assessment and management, improving services, and the demographics of participant psychiatrists. Results of the 2004 survey are compared with the 1994 study. Results: There has been some change in psychiatrists’ opinions about acute admission wards, believing strongly that they do not meet the needs of the adults with severe intellectual disabilities, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. There has been some improvement in their ability to adequately manage adults with intellectual disabilities who have mental health needs and/or problem behaviours. Conclusions: Mainstream mental health services fail to meet the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities. Improved specialist clinical services and more clinical training opportunities are required.

scholarly journals Recognizing the role of animal-assisted therapies in addressing mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 102390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachin Nagendrappa ◽  
Sheikh Shoib ◽  
Sajjadur Rehman ◽  
Omityah Grigo ◽  
Ramdas Ransing
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs

scholarly journals The mental health needs of asylum seekers and refugees – challenges and solutions

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyal Sen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Cultural Brokers ◽  
Competency Training ◽  
Second World ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

Global events like wars and natural disasters have led to the refugee population reaching numbers not seen since the Second World War. Attitudes to asylum have hardened, with the potential to compromise the mental health needs of asylum seekers and refugees. The challenges in providing mental healthcare for asylum seekers and refugees include working with the uncertainties of immigration status and cultural differences. Ways to meet the challenges include cultural competency training, availability of interpreters and cultural brokers as well as appropriately adapting modes of therapy. Service delivery should support adjustment to life in a foreign country. Never has the need been greater for psychiatrists to play a leadership role in the area.

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