The aim of this petition is to raise awareness of the poor level of refugee mental health care, and the lack of resources available to them in the detention centres in which they are held. "Research finds that asylum seekers are 5 times more likely to have mental health needs than the general population and more than 61% will experience serious mental distress, however data show they are less likely to receive support" Eaton, V., Ward, C., Womack, J., & Taylor, A. (2011).

The definition of a refugee as stated in the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees is: “ A person who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.”

Despite the definition, reality is much more complicated, refugees are treated like prisoners and all personal belongings are taken away. Yet they're just real people trying to escape danger, fleeing their country is often not their choice. How would you feel having to leave everything you've ever known behind? 

Robjant et al. (2009) found accounts of “serious mental health problems” in the detainee population. The mental health issues included depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidality, and self-harm. The length of time in detention and residency status were mediating factors.

Despite their quest for freedom they are thwarted by our lack of compassion or ability to provide the same level of care to them as we do to for current British Citizens. We're all human. Don't we all deserve to be treated the same? These people don't have a choice but we do. We are determined to change the mental health rights for refugees in the UK. They need us to speak up for them. 

#wheresmyrights #oneandthesame