Refugee, migrant, and asylum seeker experiences

Abstract

Migration is a universal phenomenon that has occurred in all nations at all times and is being repeated throughout history. Becoming refugee/ migrant/ asylum seeker is a complex psychosocial process with significant effects and consequences on identity of individuals and new countries. That process is related to many factors and may have profound, lasting effects, causing various mental health problems. While some characteristics of migration and experiences of refugees and migrants are universal, they are also specific to each region, country and individual. What follows is the Balkan perspective in experiencing and managing the problems of migration and huge number of refugees in the last three decades. Results of the regions specific studies and the authors’ views as witnesses, organisers of programmes for mental health care of refugees and in the field of disaster and migrant psychiatry are presented. Implications for mental health and organization of mental health care both of refugees and new countries are discussed.