IMMIGRATION AND MENTAL DISORDERS

Authors

  • Lambrini Kourkouta
  • Konstantinos Koukourikos
  • Ioanna V. Papathanasiou
  • Areti Tsaloglidou

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32437/MHGCJ-2019(2).59

Keywords:

mental health, mental disorders, migration

Abstract

Introduction: Immigration is the movement of people into a country where they will remain as its permanent residents or future citizens without having citizenship.

Purpose: The purpose of this review study is to highlight the impact of immigration on the mental health of immigrants and to identify the mental disorders from which immigrants are at risk of getting ill.

Methodology: The study material consisted of articles on the topic, found in Greek and international databases such as: Google Scholar, Mednet, Pubmed, Medline and the Hellenic Academic Libraries Association (HEAL-Link), using the appropriate keywords: mental illness, immigrants, treatment.

Results: It is estimated that two-thirds of refugees - migrants experience anxiety and depression. Studies show that these are populations with severe social problems, unmet needs, and a range of mental health problems such as depression, panic attacks, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Conclusions: Addressing the mental health problems of immigrants and refugees can only be holistic. It requires much more psychosocial interventions and practical solutions, always combined with culturally appropriate psychological support methods.

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Published

2019-11-19

How to Cite

Kourkouta, L., Koukourikos, K., Papathanasiou, I. V., & Tsaloglidou, A. (2019). IMMIGRATION AND MENTAL DISORDERS. Mental Health: Global Challenges Journal, 2(2), 36. https://doi.org/10.32437/MHGCJ-2019(2).59

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