Dr Dafni Katsampa
@dafnik.bsky.social
Clinical Psychologist (she/her); Project Coordinator @thementalelf.bsky.social; Thoughts about clinical psychology, forced displacement & migration, feminism, social justice 🌏🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (& travelling)
Seems to be the trend across Europe unfortunately.
March 11, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Seems to be the trend across Europe unfortunately.
Read the full paper and share your thoughts.
Let’s cultivate online discussion & push for better policies. /10
#Refugees #MentalHealth #FamilyReunification #MigrationPolicy #HumanRights
Let’s cultivate online discussion & push for better policies. /10
#Refugees #MentalHealth #FamilyReunification #MigrationPolicy #HumanRights
March 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Read the full paper and share your thoughts.
Let’s cultivate online discussion & push for better policies. /10
#Refugees #MentalHealth #FamilyReunification #MigrationPolicy #HumanRights
Let’s cultivate online discussion & push for better policies. /10
#Refugees #MentalHealth #FamilyReunification #MigrationPolicy #HumanRights
Huge thanks to #HelenBamberFoundation & #FreedomFromTorture @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social for supporting this research. And above all, to the participants who bravely shared their stories. /9
March 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Huge thanks to #HelenBamberFoundation & #FreedomFromTorture @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social for supporting this research. And above all, to the participants who bravely shared their stories. /9
Refugee policies must reflect human realities, not just bureaucratic processes. Family separation is not just a legal issue—it’s a mental health crisis. /8
March 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Refugee policies must reflect human realities, not just bureaucratic processes. Family separation is not just a legal issue—it’s a mental health crisis. /8
In Greece, we need:
⚖ Quicker asylum & reunification processes
🩺 Better mental health services for refugees
💼 Work permits & financial support—so men can provide without exploitation
🚫 Challenging stereotypes—single male refugees ≠ threat. Their stories matter.
/7
⚖ Quicker asylum & reunification processes
🩺 Better mental health services for refugees
💼 Work permits & financial support—so men can provide without exploitation
🚫 Challenging stereotypes—single male refugees ≠ threat. Their stories matter.
/7
March 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
In Greece, we need:
⚖ Quicker asylum & reunification processes
🩺 Better mental health services for refugees
💼 Work permits & financial support—so men can provide without exploitation
🚫 Challenging stereotypes—single male refugees ≠ threat. Their stories matter.
/7
⚖ Quicker asylum & reunification processes
🩺 Better mental health services for refugees
💼 Work permits & financial support—so men can provide without exploitation
🚫 Challenging stereotypes—single male refugees ≠ threat. Their stories matter.
/7
What needs to change?
✅ Faster family reunification—delays worsen mental health outcomes.
✅ Trauma-informed mental health support—tailored to the realities of separation.
✅ Policy shifts to recognise gendered impacts—acknowledging the unique struggles of male refugees.
/5
✅ Faster family reunification—delays worsen mental health outcomes.
✅ Trauma-informed mental health support—tailored to the realities of separation.
✅ Policy shifts to recognise gendered impacts—acknowledging the unique struggles of male refugees.
/5
March 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
What needs to change?
✅ Faster family reunification—delays worsen mental health outcomes.
✅ Trauma-informed mental health support—tailored to the realities of separation.
✅ Policy shifts to recognise gendered impacts—acknowledging the unique struggles of male refugees.
/5
✅ Faster family reunification—delays worsen mental health outcomes.
✅ Trauma-informed mental health support—tailored to the realities of separation.
✅ Policy shifts to recognise gendered impacts—acknowledging the unique struggles of male refugees.
/5
📌 Key Findings:
> Severe mental health impact—depression, suicidality, emotional numbness.
> Pressure to provide—masculinity & fatherhood ideals intensify distress.
> Systemic barriers—racism & hostile asylum policies make it worse. /4
> Severe mental health impact—depression, suicidality, emotional numbness.
> Pressure to provide—masculinity & fatherhood ideals intensify distress.
> Systemic barriers—racism & hostile asylum policies make it worse. /4
March 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
📌 Key Findings:
> Severe mental health impact—depression, suicidality, emotional numbness.
> Pressure to provide—masculinity & fatherhood ideals intensify distress.
> Systemic barriers—racism & hostile asylum policies make it worse. /4
> Severe mental health impact—depression, suicidality, emotional numbness.
> Pressure to provide—masculinity & fatherhood ideals intensify distress.
> Systemic barriers—racism & hostile asylum policies make it worse. /4
Many described guilt, helplessness, & powerlessness—trapped between protecting their families from afar & navigating racism, discrimination, and economic hardship in the host country. /3
March 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Many described guilt, helplessness, & powerlessness—trapped between protecting their families from afar & navigating racism, discrimination, and economic hardship in the host country. /3
We interviewed refugee men in the UK & found severe emotional distress, loneliness, and identity struggles, worsened by prolonged uncertainty & restrictive immigration policies. /2
March 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We interviewed refugee men in the UK & found severe emotional distress, loneliness, and identity struggles, worsened by prolonged uncertainty & restrictive immigration policies. /2
Forced family separation is a huge but overlooked issue in #refugee mental health. Male refugees are often the first to migrate, leaving loved ones behind. The psychological toll is profound. /1
March 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Forced family separation is a huge but overlooked issue in #refugee mental health. Male refugees are often the first to migrate, leaving loved ones behind. The psychological toll is profound. /1
The key message we hope this review communicates is that housing isn’t just a shelter—it shapes mental health, especially for people who have experienced trauma. Policy changes need to happen to improve asylum seekers health.
#MentalHealth #AsylumSeekers #HumanRights #PolicyChange
#MentalHealth #AsylumSeekers #HumanRights #PolicyChange
February 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The key message we hope this review communicates is that housing isn’t just a shelter—it shapes mental health, especially for people who have experienced trauma. Policy changes need to happen to improve asylum seekers health.
#MentalHealth #AsylumSeekers #HumanRights #PolicyChange
#MentalHealth #AsylumSeekers #HumanRights #PolicyChange
What can you do as a clinician if you are supporting asylum seekers?
> Screen for housing-related stress in asylum seekers
> Advocate for better housing & social support
> Offer psychosocial interventions, not just psychiatric treatment
> Address isolation through community programmes
> Screen for housing-related stress in asylum seekers
> Advocate for better housing & social support
> Offer psychosocial interventions, not just psychiatric treatment
> Address isolation through community programmes
February 11, 2025 at 5:53 PM
What can you do as a clinician if you are supporting asylum seekers?
> Screen for housing-related stress in asylum seekers
> Advocate for better housing & social support
> Offer psychosocial interventions, not just psychiatric treatment
> Address isolation through community programmes
> Screen for housing-related stress in asylum seekers
> Advocate for better housing & social support
> Offer psychosocial interventions, not just psychiatric treatment
> Address isolation through community programmes
What needs to change?
🚨 End detention-based housing—it's a mental health crisis.
🏡 Prioritise private/community housing over collective housing
🤝 Support mental health interventions tailored to asylum seekers' needs
⚖️ Ensure safe, humane housing policies for vulnerable asylum seekers
🚨 End detention-based housing—it's a mental health crisis.
🏡 Prioritise private/community housing over collective housing
🤝 Support mental health interventions tailored to asylum seekers' needs
⚖️ Ensure safe, humane housing policies for vulnerable asylum seekers
February 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
What needs to change?
🚨 End detention-based housing—it's a mental health crisis.
🏡 Prioritise private/community housing over collective housing
🤝 Support mental health interventions tailored to asylum seekers' needs
⚖️ Ensure safe, humane housing policies for vulnerable asylum seekers
🚨 End detention-based housing—it's a mental health crisis.
🏡 Prioritise private/community housing over collective housing
🤝 Support mental health interventions tailored to asylum seekers' needs
⚖️ Ensure safe, humane housing policies for vulnerable asylum seekers
Why this happens?
🚫 Lack of autonomy: Strict rules, no privacy, forced cohabitation
😨 Feeling unsafe: Asylum seekers face violence, threats & exploitation in camps
👥 Lack of support: Social isolation worsens depression & PTSD
🙏 Coping mechanisms: Faith, hope, & peer support help, but aren’t enough
🚫 Lack of autonomy: Strict rules, no privacy, forced cohabitation
😨 Feeling unsafe: Asylum seekers face violence, threats & exploitation in camps
👥 Lack of support: Social isolation worsens depression & PTSD
🙏 Coping mechanisms: Faith, hope, & peer support help, but aren’t enough
February 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Why this happens?
🚫 Lack of autonomy: Strict rules, no privacy, forced cohabitation
😨 Feeling unsafe: Asylum seekers face violence, threats & exploitation in camps
👥 Lack of support: Social isolation worsens depression & PTSD
🙏 Coping mechanisms: Faith, hope, & peer support help, but aren’t enough
🚫 Lack of autonomy: Strict rules, no privacy, forced cohabitation
😨 Feeling unsafe: Asylum seekers face violence, threats & exploitation in camps
👥 Lack of support: Social isolation worsens depression & PTSD
🙏 Coping mechanisms: Faith, hope, & peer support help, but aren’t enough
💡 Safer, private housing = better mental health.
> Stable, clean housing with autonomy reduces PTSD & depression
> Moving from collective to private housing ➡️ significant mental health relief
> Stable, clean housing with autonomy reduces PTSD & depression
> Moving from collective to private housing ➡️ significant mental health relief
February 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
💡 Safer, private housing = better mental health.
> Stable, clean housing with autonomy reduces PTSD & depression
> Moving from collective to private housing ➡️ significant mental health relief
> Stable, clean housing with autonomy reduces PTSD & depression
> Moving from collective to private housing ➡️ significant mental health relief
⚠️ Detention is the worst for mental health.
> Self-harm higher rates in off-shore detention vs. community housing
> "Detention violence": physical, racial, psychological, & child-targeted abuse
> Self-harm higher rates in off-shore detention vs. community housing
> "Detention violence": physical, racial, psychological, & child-targeted abuse
February 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
⚠️ Detention is the worst for mental health.
> Self-harm higher rates in off-shore detention vs. community housing
> "Detention violence": physical, racial, psychological, & child-targeted abuse
> Self-harm higher rates in off-shore detention vs. community housing
> "Detention violence": physical, racial, psychological, & child-targeted abuse
Key findings:
Poor living conditions = worse mental health.
> Overcrowding, noise, poor hygiene leads to increased stress, anxiety, depression
> Shared housing harms mental health, esp. for single men & families
> Children in detention have alarmingly high rates of PTSD, depression, & self-harm
Poor living conditions = worse mental health.
> Overcrowding, noise, poor hygiene leads to increased stress, anxiety, depression
> Shared housing harms mental health, esp. for single men & families
> Children in detention have alarmingly high rates of PTSD, depression, & self-harm
February 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Key findings:
Poor living conditions = worse mental health.
> Overcrowding, noise, poor hygiene leads to increased stress, anxiety, depression
> Shared housing harms mental health, esp. for single men & families
> Children in detention have alarmingly high rates of PTSD, depression, & self-harm
Poor living conditions = worse mental health.
> Overcrowding, noise, poor hygiene leads to increased stress, anxiety, depression
> Shared housing harms mental health, esp. for single men & families
> Children in detention have alarmingly high rates of PTSD, depression, & self-harm
This systematic review included 21 studies across 9 countries on housing & mental health impacts 🔍
🏡 Housing types examined:
- Private housing (best for mental health)
- Community housing (better alternative)
- Collective/shared housing (high stress)
- Detention centers (higher self-harm rates)
🏡 Housing types examined:
- Private housing (best for mental health)
- Community housing (better alternative)
- Collective/shared housing (high stress)
- Detention centers (higher self-harm rates)
February 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
This systematic review included 21 studies across 9 countries on housing & mental health impacts 🔍
🏡 Housing types examined:
- Private housing (best for mental health)
- Community housing (better alternative)
- Collective/shared housing (high stress)
- Detention centers (higher self-harm rates)
🏡 Housing types examined:
- Private housing (best for mental health)
- Community housing (better alternative)
- Collective/shared housing (high stress)
- Detention centers (higher self-harm rates)
Why this review matters 💡
- Asylum seekers experience high levels of PTSD, depression, & anxiety.
- Not all housing is equal—some types exacerbate mental health issues, while others can be protective.
- Understanding the link between housing & mental health can inform policy & practice.
- Asylum seekers experience high levels of PTSD, depression, & anxiety.
- Not all housing is equal—some types exacerbate mental health issues, while others can be protective.
- Understanding the link between housing & mental health can inform policy & practice.
February 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Why this review matters 💡
- Asylum seekers experience high levels of PTSD, depression, & anxiety.
- Not all housing is equal—some types exacerbate mental health issues, while others can be protective.
- Understanding the link between housing & mental health can inform policy & practice.
- Asylum seekers experience high levels of PTSD, depression, & anxiety.
- Not all housing is equal—some types exacerbate mental health issues, while others can be protective.
- Understanding the link between housing & mental health can inform policy & practice.
🏠 Housing is a major post-migration stressor, but its impact on asylum seekers' mental health hasn't been recently systematically studied—until now. This study aimed to fill that gap and identify current evidence published between 2017-2023.
February 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
🏠 Housing is a major post-migration stressor, but its impact on asylum seekers' mental health hasn't been recently systematically studied—until now. This study aimed to fill that gap and identify current evidence published between 2017-2023.