Fact 8: Mental health
Risk factors for mental health problems may be experienced during all phases of the migratory process and during settlement in the host country.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorder and depression are the most frequently reported conditions among international migrants, mainly for refugees and recently arrived asylum seekers.
Poor socioeconomic conditions, such as unemployment or isolation, are associated with increased rates of depression in refugees after resettlement.
Migration was also found to be a risk factor for children’s mental conditions. Unaccompanied minors experience higher rates of depression and symptoms of PTSD compared with other refugee and migrant groups.
These 10 facts summarize key issues on refugee and migrant health in the WHO European Region.
