Forced Migration

Refugee populations experience PTSD at a rate of 31% and depression at a rate of 31.5% compared with non-migrant groups, according to a recent systematic review. The International Organization for Migration defines forced migrants as people who must move because of human rights violations, climate disasters, or violence and who require legal protection. An estimated 123.2 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations. Barriers to mental health access for forced migrants include cultural stigma, lack of culturally responsive and trauma-informed supports, limited provider knowledge, and difficulties with health insurance and government funding. Mental health impacts for forced migrants can worsen after arrival in high-income countries because of intersecting determinants including racism, discrimination, high cost of living, and poor housing.