La santé mentale des migrants entre textes juridiques internationaux et pratique clinique: quelle place pour la culture?

Abstract

This study examines the mental health of migrants under international legal texts and clinical practice. It highlights to what extent the right to mental health of migrants is guaranteed in international legal texts. It then relates this right to national practice in France. It determines practice guidelines addressing migrants' mental health. The purpose of this clinical study is to identify the adequacy of international legal texts to guarantee this right as an integral part of human rights. The individual in his or her singularity is at the heart of our work. However, a multidisciplinary approach will also address socio-cultural, anthropological and environmental factors. Indeed, steeped in clinical and social realities, we wonder how one can deny the cultural dimension of all human interactions and thus the basis of the helping relationship. We therefore understand that we need to broaden our conceptual and clinical/social framework through our awareness of clinical medical anthropology. Culture partly shapes the individual and his or her behaviour. It helps to make sense of the experiences that occur in each person's life and to prepare for what might happen.