Impacts of irregular migration on the mental health of sub-Saharan migrants

Abstract

Background: Europe has become a difficult destination due to strict migration policies and border controls, making Morocco an immigration country. Morocco is currently at the center of the international migration debate because it not only hosts regular migrants but also must deal with the problem of irregular migrants entering its territory. Sub-Saharan irregular migration is full of challenges that might cause a delay for the migrants, announcing a death sentence for many others. The journey's hurdles are likely to cause a crisis in expectations, resulting in serious consequences on the migrants' mental health. Methods: We employed observation and participant observation and conducted in-depth interviews and a survey. Results: Our research study emphasizes that sub-Saharan migrants begin irregular journeys with high hopes, only to be disappointed by how unexpectedly cruel it turns out to be. We also pointed to specific physical and, more crucially, mental health problems that they end up with after survival, resulting in somatic disorders. Conclusion: Somatoform Disorder is the most common mental illness that sub-Saharan irregular migrants suffer from. The stressful memories of the past seem to influence their state of mind, making them feel physical pain in the absence of a physical explanation. Keywords: Irregular migration, sub-Saharan migrants, challenges, experiences crisis, mental health, somatoform disorder.