Refugee mental health

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are currently about 65 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including about 21 million refugees (over half of whom are under the age of 18) and 10 million stateless people. The vast majority of these forced migrations are towards low and middle-income countries and “only” about 1.2 million towards the EU. But the impact has nonetheless been dramatic. Several studies indicate that refugees have higher morbidity from several mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression compared to the native population or family reunification immigrants. That could be due to different type of stressors: pre-migration stressors, during migration stressors and post-migration stressors. Universities and other higher education institutions can play an important role in improving the integration of refugees, thus reducing the post-migration living difficulties and possible mental disorders. Facing the recent “refugee crisis” and enabling their integration into the EU in good mental condition is a serious challenge. It is also an opportunity to remember our history and behave according to our values.