Cultural Competence Training and Mental Health Care in Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Abstract

Recent mass movement of human beings in various parts of the world has brought several challenges. Not only refugees from Syria and Libya to Europe but also refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in Latin America bring specific set of issues with them. It is critical that clinicians are aware of both the vulnerability of individuals to mental ill health as a result of migratory experiences but equally importantly their resilience. The impact on the mental health of those who may be involved directly or indirectly in delivering care along with those new communities who receive these groups need to be taken into account when planning and delivering psychiatric services. It is essential to recognise that experiences of being a refugee or asylum seeker are heterogeneous. Being an asylum seeker carries with it legal definitions and legal imperatives agreed at international levels.Policymakers and clinicians need to be aware of differential rates of psychiatric disorders in these vulnerable individuals and specific needs related to language, religious values and other cultural factors. Mental health problems may be related to experiencing cultural bereavement where individuals feel that they have lost their cultures, relationships and cultural values. Judicious and careful use of trained culture brokers and mediators should be encouraged as these individuals can inform the team about community needs and inform the community about the team functioning and its principles so that community expectations can be managed appropriately. Such approaches may also help reduce stigma against mental illness.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.