Mental health issues in Tamil refugees and displaced persons. Counselling implications

Fifty-one Sri Lankan Tamil refugees/displaced persons living in South India completed the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-58. In addition, in interviews they answered open-ended questions about personal loss, personal traumatic experiences, negative feelings, living in camps, and the availability of support. The health of the respondents was poor. Moreover, experiences such as watching the killing of family members and being wounded were mentioned as reasons to flee. Many respondents said they experienced negative feelings. Social support was reasonably available although family members were often not situated in the same camp.