Locations of care: meeting the mental health and social care needs of refugees in Europe

Abstract

This article describes the results of a study (Watters et al., 2003) that was carried out for the European Commission (European Refugee Fund) during 2002 and 2003. The primary aims of the project were to identify mental health services for asylum seekers and refugees in four European countries, to identify examples of good practice in service provision, and to assess the potential for transferring good practice in the field from one country to another. In focusing on the comparative study of mental health services for refugees, the study was a departure from the main areas of research in this field. In general terms, research has focused primarily on epidemiological studies within refugee populations, often aimed at formulating preventive strategies. Much, but by no means exclusive, emphasis has been placed on ascertaining the prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder within specific refugee groups. Ahearn has argued that btrauma and, in particular PTSD, is perhaps the most popular descriptor of refugee health or lack of health todayQ (Ahearn, 2000, p. 10). Emphasis has also been placed on assessing the impact of external stressors, such as displacement, on refugees’ mental health. These stressors have been grouped and categorized in a