A community study of 1,413 Vietnamese refugees in Sydney, interviewed by bilingual workers, found that trauma experienced before arrival was still linked to mental illness and disability many years after resettlement.
Topic: Trauma
-
Psychiatric status of asylum seeker families held for a protracted period in a remote detention centre in Australia
Psychiatric interviews with 10 asylum seeker families held in a remote detention centre for over two years. Every adult and child had at least one mental disorder, and disorders rose sharply after detention.
-
Impact of immigration detention and temporary protection on the mental health of refugees
A study of 241 Mandaean refugees in Sydney found that past immigration detention and living on temporary protection visas each added to the risk of ongoing PTSD, depression and disability. It is a key study on how asylum policy affects mental health.
-
Pre-migration and post-migration factors associated with mental health in humanitarian migrants in Australia and the moderation effect of post-migration stressors: findings from the first wave data of the BNLA cohort study
Using the first wave of the BNLA study (about 2,400 humanitarian migrants), this study linked traumatic events before migration and stresses after arrival to PTSD and serious distress. Stresses after arrival made the link between past trauma and poor mental health stronger.
-
Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide: Mental health
An online guide for GPs, nurses and other primary care workers caring for people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum. It includes a mental health section for clinicians.
-
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD and Complex PTSD: Refugees and asylum seekers
The refugee and asylum seeker section of Australia’s national PTSD treatment guidelines. It advises broad assessment that includes migration history, visa status and current stresses, and says trauma-focused therapy works but must be paired with practical support.
-
Position Statement 46: The provision of mental health services for asylum seekers and refugees
The psychiatry college’s position on mental health care for people seeking asylum and refugees. It calls for an end to immigration detention and for care equal to that of the general population, noting very high rates of self-harm among detained children.
-
Service needs and experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse veterans: Final report
A study based on interviews with 38 veterans from CALD backgrounds about their support needs. It describes racism experienced in the Defence Force and barriers to culturally responsive services, including for mental health.
-
Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA): The Longitudinal Study of Humanitarian Migrants
A ten-year study (2013–14 to 2023) that followed about 2,400 people who arrived on humanitarian visas, covering settlement, health and mental health. Researchers can apply to use the data, and it underpins many Australian refugee mental health studies.
-
NSW Refugee Health Plan 2022–2027
The NSW Health plan for improving the health and wellbeing of people from refugee backgrounds. It sets priorities for how the health system should support them.