No Refuge from Terror: The Impact of Detention on the Mental Health of Trauma-affected Refugees Seeking Asylum in Australia

Abstract

The final decades of the twentieth century were accompanied by an upsurge in the number of persons fleeing persecution and regional wars. To stem the flow of asylum seekers, several countries in the west introduced policies of deterrence, including detention. Although many countries detain asylum seekers, Australia has been unique in establishing a policy of mandatory, indefinite detention. The impact of prolonged detention on the mental health of asylum seekers drew commentary from mental health professionals soon after the policy was introduced, but administrators and politicians disputed the assertion that detention was a factor in causing or exacerbating mental disorder. This overview examines the impact of mandatory, indefinite detention on the mental health of asylum seekers by drawing on evidence gathered during Commissions of Inquiry, from observations of health and mental health professionals who have worked in detention centres, and from the small body of systematic research undertaken among immigration detainees. The data from all sources converge in demonstrating that prolonged detention has adverse mental health and psychosocial impacts on adults, families and children. Recent studies suggest that the mental health effects may be prolonged, extending well beyond the point of release into the community. The Australian experience offers general lessons to health professionals worldwide about the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, and more specifically, to ensure that the traumas that cause mental suffering in refugees are not compounded as a consequence of immigration policy decisions in recipient countries. Documentation and research can be vital in achieving policy change in these settings.

L’expérience des demandeurs d’asile détenus au Canada

“…De nombreuses études scientifi ques et cliniques ont constaté que la détention des demandeurs d'asile était associée à un niveau élevé de symptômes psychiatriques (Keller et al, 2003 ;Ichikawa et al, 2006 ;Momartin et al, 2006 ;Steel et al, 2006 ;Silove et al, 2007 ;Robjant et al, 2009a ;Robjant et al, 2009 b). Au Royaume-Uni, après une déten-tion médiane de 30 jours, 76 % des demandeurs d'asile détenus étaient cliniquement déprimés, contre seulement 26 % des demandeurs d'asile non détenus, faisant partie du groupe témoin (Robjant et al, 2009b).…”

The physical health status, service utilisation and barriers to accessing care for asylum seekers residing in the community: a systematic review of the literature

“…To date, however, there has been a predominant focus on the mental health implications of immigration detention, with several systematic reviews having already been conducted. [12][13][14] Research with asylum seekers in Australia's community is currently lacking due to reluctance by the government to provide statistics or registers of those living in the community 15 as well as ethical issues and recruitment difficulties in gaining access to 'hidden' populations that may be fearful of authority. 16 Drawing from the international literature, the aim of this systematic review was to document physical health problems that asylum seekers experience on settlement, to assess the utilisation of healthcare services and barriers to care.…”

Migrant Children’s Rights to Health and Rehabilitation: A Primer for US Social Workers

“…37). Practices of detaining migrant children are being debated and critiqued in other countries as well, such as Canada (Kronick and Rousseau 2015), Australia (Dudley et al 2012;Silove et al 2007), and the European Union (Hodes 2010;Nebehay and Tagaris 2016). The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACrtHR) issued an opinion in 2014 concerning states' obligations regarding protections for migrant children.…”