Characteristics and treatment of asylum seekers reviewed by psychiatrists in an Irish inner city area.
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Authors
Kennedy, Noel
Jerrard-Dunne, Paula
Gill, Michael
Webb, Marcus
Issue Date
2002-Mar
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
To assess social and educational status, trauma experienced, diagnosis and treatment of asylum seekers, who presented to psychiatrists in St James's hospital Dublin over a two-year period.
All files of asylum seekers assessed by psychiatrists in St James's hospital over a two-year period were scrutinised. Using a pro-forma, data was obtained about social and educational status, language skills, trauma suffered, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Demographic data was obtained from the Department of Justice, the Irish refugee centre and various social welfare offices.
Over a two-year period 31 asylum seekers were in contact with this service. Most originated from Africa. Overall subjects were well educated but socially isolated with poor language skills. Many had been imprisoned or tortured, or had relatives or friends tortured or killed prior to migration. Almost one third met criteria for PTSD and greater than a third met criteria for major depression. The majority of subjects received pharmacological treatment, but few were offered psychological treatments. Most had no prior psychiatric diagnosis and dropped out of treatment at an early stage.
Large numbers of asylum seekers are currently residing in Dublin and may need specialised psychological support and treatment. They have been exposed to significant levels of pre-migratory trauma, often have poor language skills and drop out of treatment quickly which may indicate dissatisfaction with existing treatment approaches. There is an urgent need for increased funding for the psychological needs of this vulnerable group, for the provision of trained interpreters, specialised psychotherapy and assessment of their needs.
All files of asylum seekers assessed by psychiatrists in St James's hospital over a two-year period were scrutinised. Using a pro-forma, data was obtained about social and educational status, language skills, trauma suffered, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Demographic data was obtained from the Department of Justice, the Irish refugee centre and various social welfare offices.
Over a two-year period 31 asylum seekers were in contact with this service. Most originated from Africa. Overall subjects were well educated but socially isolated with poor language skills. Many had been imprisoned or tortured, or had relatives or friends tortured or killed prior to migration. Almost one third met criteria for PTSD and greater than a third met criteria for major depression. The majority of subjects received pharmacological treatment, but few were offered psychological treatments. Most had no prior psychiatric diagnosis and dropped out of treatment at an early stage.
Large numbers of asylum seekers are currently residing in Dublin and may need specialised psychological support and treatment. They have been exposed to significant levels of pre-migratory trauma, often have poor language skills and drop out of treatment quickly which may indicate dissatisfaction with existing treatment approaches. There is an urgent need for increased funding for the psychological needs of this vulnerable group, for the provision of trained interpreters, specialised psychotherapy and assessment of their needs.
Description
Citation
Kennedy, N., Jerrard-Dunne, P., Gill, M., & Webb, M. (2002). Characteristics and treatment of asylum seekers reviewed by psychiatrists in an Irish inner city area. Irish journal of psychological medicine, 19(1), 4–7. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0790966700006765
Publisher
License
Journal
Irish journal of psychological medicine
Volume
19
Issue
1
PubMed ID
ISSN
2051-6967