Severely Impaired Young Refugees

Abstract

This article is concerned with the small numbers of refugee children and adolescents who, for psychiatric reasons, have significant social impairment, with difficulties in functioning within their families and in school. Data from recent studies carried out in London are presented regarding the characteristics of this group. The studies show that the impaired refugee children are psychiatrically heterogeneous, but had high exposure to past violence and losses, and they experience high levels of isolation, compared with non-refugee peers. These adversities are particularly likely to occur among those who are psychiatrically admitted, including those who have psychoses. A high level of cooperation between agencies, especially mental health and social services, is frequently required to meet the complex needs of this group. Implications for service provision and clinical management are discussed.