[Post-traumatic stress and barriers to care for migrants]

The post-traumatic stress suffered by migrants is not only due to the events in their home country, but also to the difficult and often violent journey to the host country. On arrival, they are confronted with numerous administrative and legal procedures that hinder urgent access to care. Recognition of their problems and appropriate support towards the specific care they need should be provided by social workers, who are familiar with their culture and the warning signs of psychological trauma, and should require the services of a qualified interpreter. While access to care should be guaranteed, for migrants it represents a new and difficult road to recovery.