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01-07-2010 | Letter to the editors

The mental health of detained asylum seeking children

Author: Matthew Hodes

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 7/2010

Abstract

European Union policy is to restrict the entry into the EU of asylum seekers. This has resulted in the detention of many thousands of asylum seekers including children and adolescents in prison-like environments. The available evidence suggests this practice is associated with high levels of psychological distress, anxiety, affective and posttraumatic stress disorder, and deliberate self-harm. Significant numbers of detained asylum seekers are released and some would benefit from contact with child mental health professionals. It is suggested that in keeping with EU policy aims alternatives to detention should be sought.

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Title: The mental health of detained asylum seeking children
Author: Matthew Hodes
Publication date: 01-07-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 7/2010
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-010-0093-9

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