The Determinants of Mental Health in Refugees

The Determinants of Mental Health in Refugees

Social and financial difficulties after detention

In Australia, there are many refugees who are deprived of living isolated from local Australians as they are facing many difficulties in terms of social and financial challenges after detention.

Deficient social support

The social life of refugees in prison is very depriving and depressing as they have no social support in the environment because of their differences in language, culture and identity (Driver & Beltran, 1998).

Logically, members of minority cultures or unfairly disadvantage because they do not enjoy some choices that enabling background conditions as members of mainstream cultures. Since, refugees count in minorities, they are not being treated fairly and equally. They feel isolated when they are being discriminated on the basis of their identity and culture. This isolation leads to personality disorder and social anxiety disorder and thus, mental illness occur. They often feel that they are not considered as part of this country because of their difference in language and culture and therefore, fail to cope with other people in the state. This deprived feeling leads to severe depression and isolation among refugees. Due to lack of friendly and strong social environment, refugees are suffering from mental problems including severe depression and mental trauma (Ehntholt & Yule, 2006).

Currently, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship manages nursing policy and humanitarian shelters. To perform this task, the government uses the Humanitarian Program of Australia consists of a set of visas of different categories, including the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP). This program provides protection to those refugees who are registered in Refugee Convention. It also provides opportunities to refugees for resettlement in Australia (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2001).

Ottawa Charter provides proper guidelines to detention centers on providing relevant and up to date information about detention period in their own language so that they understand the information easily (World Health Organization, 2012). In this consideration, there should be a policy on maintaining these guidelines and make sure that they have been properly implemented effectively by the staff of detention centers. This will provide strong social environment and thus, reduces the feeling of isolation among refugees.

Problems with employment

Unemployment rate is rising among refugees from past few years in Australia. Immigrants come from another country; therefore, they are unaware of Australian culture and education. Due to lack of knowledge about working environment, illiteracy and language difficulties, immigrants could not get fair job opportunities. This is the reason that they have low financial support and could not give proper education and health facilities to their children (Dudley, 2003). This unemployment and financial crisis lead to create tension and depression among youngsters and adults (Australian Psychological Society, 2007).

Considering these factors, some refugees are suffering from mental illness and depression in dentention centre. This financial crisis may lead to serious depression and mental trauma which have been found in many refugees. They are being treated unequally because others do not consider them as part of ...