Services 'only scraping tip of the iceberg' of asylum-seekers' mental health needs, says charity

"The mental health needs of asylum-seekers and people awaiting deportation are not being adequately met, with services "scraping the tip of the iceberg" of what is needed, according to a leading charity."

"Dr Angela Skuce, the medical director at charity Safetynet Primary Care which provides healthcare to recently arrived asylum-seekers and other vulnerable groups in Dublin, described it as a "huge problem" for her group and for GPs."

Asylum-seekers and people awaiting deportation face substantial unmet mental health needs. Current services are scraping the tip of the iceberg of what is required, leaving many without adequate assessment, treatment, or ongoing support. Safetynet Primary Care provides healthcare to recently arrived asylum-seekers and other vulnerable groups in Dublin and identifies the gap as a huge problem for community health providers and general practitioners. Resource constraints, legal uncertainty, and complex trauma histories increase demand and complicate care delivery. Urgent expansion of specialized mental health services, funding, and GP support is needed to meet the scale of need.

Read at Irish Independent