Asylum seekers and refugees are one of the most marginalised groups in Ireland. There is no national strategy to meet their mental health needs. The needs of asylum seekers did not feature in A Vision for Change. Asylum seekers have higher levels of psychopathology than the general population. They suffer higher rates of anxiety and depressive disorders than other sections of society. They have up to ten times the level of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to the indigenous population.
This report provides the results of a questionaire to consultant psychiatrists regarding the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees, and outlines recommendations for improving treatment for this particularly vulnerable group.