The UK's asylum process is damaging to the health and wellbeing of people seeking sanctuary - according to a new study from the University of East Anglia. The number of people seeking asylum and refugees in the UK continues to rise - with 74,751 asylum applications made last year. Researchers worked with more than 70 people seeking asylum and with refugee status from 14 different countries to better understand the mental health needs of displaced people.
They found that the distress felt within the asylum system is often an entirely natural response to the situation. And that the mental health of displaced people could be better improved through community activities and employment than by prescribing antidepressants. We know that displaced people face significant trauma and adversity in their country of origin, or during their journey such as war, persecution, or imprisonment.
Displaced people are less likely to access health and social care and have poorer health than the general population. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions including stress, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. We wanted to better understand the health needs of this group.
" Dr. Emily Clark, lead researcher, academic GP from Norwich Medical School The research team ran two community engagement events in conjunction with an organisation supporting people seeking asylum and refugees in the East of England. The events aimed to introduce the concept of hea.