The mental health of detained asylum seeking children.
European Union policy is to restrict the entry into the EU of asylum seekers. This has resulted in the detention of many thousands of asylum seekers including children and adolescents in prison-like environments. The available evidence suggests this practice is associated with high levels of psychological distress, anxiety, affective and posttraumatic stress disorder, and deliberate self-harm. Significant numbers of detained asylum seekers are released and some would benefit from contact with child mental health professionals. It is suggested that in keeping with EU policy aims alternatives to detention should be sought.
Hodes
Matthew
M
Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK. m.hodes@imperial.ac.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005062:European Union; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy