Migration and mental health for refugees and role of WHO

TODAY, more than 3.6 per cent of the world’s population comprises migrants. About 39pc of the total refugee population is hosted by only five countries, Turkey, Colombia, Uganda, Pakistan and Germany. Mental health and refugees Pre-migration: lack of livelihoods and opportunities for education and development, exposure to armed conflict, violence, poverty and/or persecution. Migration travel and transit: exposure to challenging and life-threatening conditions including violence and detention and lack of access to services to cover their basic needs. Post-migration: barriers to accessing health care and other services to meet their basic needs as well as poor living conditions, separation from family members and support networks, possible uncertainty regarding work permits and legal status (asylum application), and in some cases immigration detention. Integration and settlement: poor living or working conditions, unemployment, assimilation difficulties, challenges to cultural, reli...