Every day a large number of people decide to leave their country. Various reasons such as wars, political persecutions, terrorism , violation of human rights, etc. do not make it easier for them to choose, so they end up becoming refugees. Many of them travel to Europe in search of safety and protection.

Many of the people in asylum situations have had traumatic experiences and unfortunately also physical problems. They urgently need professional help, and for this reason in several reception and orientation centres for refugees, the figure of the psychologist plays a very important role .

The importance of psychologists in refugee care

The psychologist works together with social workers and educators, doctors, teachers and especially interpreters. Efforts are made to provide refugees with basic needs and to help manage high levels of psychological distress.

Newcomers struggle every day to overcome the memory of their traumatic journey and try to adjust to a new life far from their homeland.

Many refugees have had traumatic experiences

Many of the people who arrive every day in search of asylum, have lived through traumatic experiences in their countries of origin and during the journey to their destination in Europe.

They have encountered situations of violence in the first person or have experienced it in a very close way: visualization of lifeless bodies, torture, detention, surviving explosions or bullet impacts, destruction of their homes and possessions, disappearance of their loved ones… all this forces them to live in a constant state of fear.

Nightmares, flashbacks, sleep and concentration disorders…

Lived traumatic experiences can develop into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) where they experience recurrent memories , especially during the night or sudden images during the day (Flashbacks). Traumatic memories are relived with great intensity.

For example, a man who saw a small plane flying overhead experienced a panic attack when he remembered how his town was being bombed; or a woman when she heard fireworks at a local party.

Sleep and concentration disorders, emotional numbness, anxiety and depression often accompany them. Neither should we forget the presence of suicidal thoughts , which can be triggered by acts of self-harm or, directly, by suicide itself.

Other possible mental disorders

PTSD is not the only disorder that can occur in these cases. Other psychological complications that can appear or be accentuated due to the traumatic process are Adjustment disorder, persistence of personality changes after the traumatic experience, dissociative disorders, borderline personality disorder…

Problems of addiction, depression, chronic pain and anxiety may also appear, among others.

It must be taken into account that the traumatic experience is not only a result of the experiences lived in their country of origin, but also of the journey made to reach a final destination where they may be safe . Often the conditions of transport, food, clothing, etc. are not adequate.

Uncertainty

The new environment in which refugees are situated requires them to adapt quickly in different areas. The social, cultural and lifestyle environment changes radically and this fact requires a new adaptation, which in most cases gives rise to uncertainty and insecurity (such as reacting to differences in customs and habits or traditions; learning a new language and/or writing), concern and different losses or grief (people, places and ways of life).

To all this must be added the forced separation or loss of family members. There are many of them who have left their relatives behind , or during the journey to their destination, without knowing where they are and if they are still alive. This constant uncertainty makes them torment themselves with recurring thoughts like: “Was it my fault? Or “Where is my child? Is he or she still alive? Infinite questions that seek to find a meaning to everything that is happening around them, in order to assimilate everything that has happened and to be able to continue with a calmer life.

The key is integration

Often return to the country of origin is not a viable alternative, in which case they may be allowed to remain indefinitely in the country where they have found security conditions .

A key point is to promote social, cultural, political and economic integration through the promotion of intercultural and interfaith dialogue , tolerance and respect for other cultures. Giving the opportunity to discover, understand and learn the values and cultures of refugees and at the same time rediscover and enrich one’s own.

Immaculate Espert Gregori, Psychologist.