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Refugees and asylum seekers - developing care and support

Campaign for... access to mental health support

Refugees and asylum seekers often experience considerable mental distress owing extreme and often lengthy disruption to their lives. Many will have faced oppression, war and torture in their own countries and may be experiencing mental problems such as anxiety, depression and trauma-related symptoms.

Problems are also compounded for many 'refused' asylum seekers who are unable to return to their country of origin and may stay in the country for many years. They are not entitled to any welfare benefits or secondary healthcare and are also prohibited from working.

We believe:

appropriate, accessible services should be developed for asylum seekers
refused asylum seekers should also be given appropriate care and support.

What we are fighting for

We want:

policy-makers to be aware of the key issues affecting asylum seekers and the difficulty they have in getting support for their mental health issues
national and local authorities and charities to build relationships with asylum seekers and their communities to ensure that support can be developed and given where it is needed most
the tens of thousands of destitute refused asylum seekers to have access to financial help, healthcare and education.

Take action

Visit the Still Human Still Here joint agency campaign to end the destitution of asylum seekers and find out how you can help.
Tell us your experience – Mind wants to hear from refugees and asylum seekers with experience of mental distress.
Be a Mind media volunteer.
Become a Mind campaigner.