Study indicates one in three young refugees is severely traumatised

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One in three young asylum seekers and refugees arriving in Finland is severely traumatised or displays visible symptoms of trauma.
     
According to a study made by the Helsinki Deaconess Institute, only one third of these children and youth aged 24 or younger who were traumatised in their childhood receive psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment for their problems.
      Based on the report, Finland’s public healthcare services are not adequate to meet the needs of for exmple young asylum seekers and refugees who have been tortured or raped or who are former child soldiers.
     
Moreover, compared with the majority population, immigrants with a refugee background often lack the necessary skills to make use of mental health services in Finland.
      The project received funding from the European Refugee Fund.


Links:
  Helsinki Deaconess Institute: Report with an English summary (.pdf file)

Helsingin Sanomat