Seeking Asylum and Mental Health: A Practical Guide for Professionals [Paperback]

A practical guide for professionals and services supporting people seeking asylum, which explores their distinctive mental health needs.This book provides practical guidance for professionals working with people seeking asylum, invaluable for mental health clinicians and those in social care, government, management and commissioning roles. It considers people's diverse mental health needs, and how to help effectively across cultural divides, illustrated by first-hand accounts.This book provides practical guidance for professionals working with people seeking asylum, invaluable for mental health clinicians and those in social care, government, management and commissioning roles. It considers people's diverse mental health needs, and how to help effectively across cultural divides, illustrated by first-hand accounts.People seeking asylum face unique challenges and frequently experience mental health problems. Effective support requires an understanding of their mental health needs in the broader context of their lives, cultures and extreme experiences. This book provides practical guidance for professionals and services working with people seeking asylum in mental health, social care, legal, government. managerial and commissioning roles. With authors from a wide range of professional backgrounds, the book is enriched by accounts from people with first hand experience of the asylum system itself. It considers the challenges and dilemmas faced by all involved, including clients, clinicians and service planners, with a wealth of practical information about how to assess and understand strengths and needs, avoid inappropriate conclusions and discrimination, consider treatment options, and write records and reports. The authors emphasise that effective support depends on reflection, humanity and compassion. The book is a must-have resource for professionals working with those who have to seek asylum.1. Why do people seek asylum? The global context; Rukyya Hassan; 2. S