Question

Why is mental health related educational important for refugees

Answer 1

Mental health illness is considered as a leading cause for disability all over the world. It accounts for around 13 %of the global burden of disease and responsible for 33% of total years lived with disability. It is estimated that people who suffer from severe mental illness, for example, severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are more likely to die prematurely than those who have not been affected. The problems of mental health are highly prevalent globally, affecting people across all regions of the world as it is expected to affect at least 1 of 3 people all over their life time. Also, there are major economic consequences of this high prevalence. Around $16.3 trillion was estimated to be the cost of mental ill-health globally between 2011 and 2030 and this has serious implications on standers of livings and socioeconomic development. There are many barriers in treating mental illness, for example, stigma, discrimination and governmental apathy which exacerbating the current state of mental healthcare all over the world.

Refugees Mental Health:-
Currently, the responsibility of mental health support for the refugee is shared by a network of organizations like World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), government and non‐profit organizations. Most of the refugees suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) due to the circumstances that they faced which might affect the quality of their life.
Post-Traumatic stress disorder:-
PTSD can be defined as persisting, recurrent and disturbing memories or flashbacks of a witnessed or experienced trauma, along with other symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, feeling detached from people and current experiences, as well as exaggerated startle responses. This disorder is considered the only major mental disorder that may have a known cause. Reactions like fear, horror, and helplessness may be portrayed as the person's physical integrity is being threatened. Difficulties in emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, self-perception, relationships, somatisation and hopelessness may occur due to severe stress as a result of overwhelming circumstances and disturbing experiences. The prevalence of traumatic experiences is common. It is found that more than two-thirds of persons in the general population may experience a significant traumatic event at some point in their lives. Some studies on refugees in western countries showed that 9% suffered from PTSD and around 5% from depression. However, there were also studies that obtained results showing 30% among tested cases whom suffered from PTSD. These findings suggest that most refugees are in a traumatized state and are in need of counselling.
Some studies explored the biological effect of this disorder, the findings showed :
Higher heart rate to sudden loud tones which suggests central sensitization. Diminished the volumes of the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex which may explain conditions like: depression and substance abuse. Changes in brain and pre-existing vulnerability and neurotoxicity as origins of brain volume reductions in PTSD.Amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex are hyper(re)active, whereas the ventral medial prefrontal cortex is hypo(re)active in PTSD and this may explain attentional bias towards the threat, impaired emotional regulation.

The evidence showed that trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing should be considered in individuals with PTSD. Psychological treatments can reduce symptoms of PTSD. Comprehensive programmes for mental health-care should be included in policy planning such as counselling and psychotherapy , pharmacotherapies, and psychosocial interventions.

Physiotherapists, Healthcare Professionals, and Refugees

Healthcare professionals should be aware that there are several factors that have a major influence on asylum seekers health:

The experiences that the refugee exposed to in the origin country or in the refugee camps.The experiences in the route to the host country, the process of immigration and the experience of the new life in the host country.Limited or poor health literacy. Refugees health is also affected by infectious diseases, neurological diseases, cancerand chronic diseases that could result in poly-morbidity. Also neurological injuries/ diseases, traumatic injuries(e.g., spinal cord injuries ) or post-traumatic(e.g., chronic pain syndrome).Infections Result of starvation ( e.g., epilepsy, ataxia, and paraesthesia)Communication Problems, intercultural problems and demand attention problems. Psychological problems.

A study on mental health and service needs among a group of refugees in Malaysia showed that refugees emphasized concerns about accessing opportunities for permanent resettlement and worries about economic survival. Close to all the participants in the study reported that they would be interested in taking part in supportive group services. Therefore, as service providers, high attention to mental well-being and coping strategies must be incorporated while evaluating basic needs, even in temporary settings.