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Problems faced by Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland
Nikolai Kiselev1, Monique Pfaltz2, Matthis Schick3
1Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland / University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland / PluSport, Umbrella Organization of Swiss Disabled Sports, Volketswil, Switzerland.
Swiss Medical Weekly
|October 26, 2020
Summary
Syrian refugees in Switzerland face significant practical and psychological challenges, including issues with authorities, integration, and mental health symptoms. These interconnected problems highlight a substantial need for tailored mental healthcare services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health Research
- Sociology
Background:
- Refugees and asylum seekers are vulnerable to mental health disorders due to pre-migration, transit, and post-migration stressors.
- Syrian Civil War displacement has led to a significant Syrian population in Switzerland, with limited understanding of their specific challenges.
- Identifying the needs of Syrian refugees is crucial for developing appropriate mental health services in Switzerland.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the daily problems encountered by Syrian refugees and asylum seekers residing in Switzerland.
- To inform the adaptation of a brief psychological intervention for this population.
- To understand the practical and psychological challenges impacting Syrian refugees' well-being in Switzerland.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, qualitative study design.
- Data collected using The Manual for Design, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Assistance Programs for Trauma Survivors.
- Free-listing and open-ended interviews with 30 adult Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, analyzed via thematic analysis.
Main Results:
- Syrian refugees experience interconnected practical and psychological (emotional) problems.
- Nearly half reported practical issues: government/authority problems, residence permits, integration, language, education, employment, and housing.
- Over a third reported psychological issues: mental disorder symptoms, uncertainty, frustration, and injustice.
Conclusions:
- Syrian refugees and asylum seekers face a wide array of practical and psychological problems, including significant mental health concerns.
- Awareness of these vulnerabilities is essential for officials working with this population.
- Tailored solutions and appropriate referrals to mental healthcare providers are necessary to address their complex needs.
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