A review of evidence on how Australia’s mandatory, indefinite detention of people seeking asylum affected their mental health. It draws on inquiries, clinical observations and research to show detention caused and worsened mental illness.
Resource type: Peer-reviewed study
-
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.
-
In or out? Barriers and facilitators to refugee-background young people accessing mental health services
Focus groups with 115 service providers in Melbourne identified barriers and helpers for refugee young people using mental health services. Themes included cultural ideas about mental illness, trust, working with interpreters and involving families.
-
Staff Perspectives of Safety Planning as a Suicide Prevention Intervention for People of Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Background
Interviews with workers trained in suicide prevention for refugees and people seeking asylum. They saw safety planning as a useful, low-cost tool when it is built together with the client, but noted barriers to using it.
-
The association between COVID-19 related stressors and mental health in refugees living in Australia
A survey of 656 refugees and people seeking asylum in June 2020 found that COVID-19 worries were linked to PTSD, depression and health anxiety. The strongest link was the pandemic reminding people of past trauma.
-
COVID-19 stressors and mental health problems amongst women who arrived as refugees and those born in Australia
Compared common mental disorders in 339 women from refugee backgrounds and 311 Australian-born women during COVID-19. It examines how pandemic-related hardship and fear were linked to mental health in each group.
-
A trauma informed response to COVID 19 and the deteriorating mental health of refugees and asylum seekers with insecure status in Australia
A discussion paper for nurses and health workers on how COVID-19 worsened the mental health of refugees and people seeking asylum on temporary visas. It offers a trauma-informed way to respond.