International Journal of Public Health (Jan 2024)

Mental Health Consultations in Immigration Detention: What Can We Learn From Clinical Records?

  • Leonel C. Gonçalves,
  • Leonel C. Gonçalves,
  • Patrick Heller,
  • Anne-Claire B. Bachmann,
  • Jonathan Barbolini,
  • Clara Fuhrer,
  • Laurent Gétaz,
  • Laurent Gétaz,
  • Eric Luke,
  • Hans Wolff,
  • Stéphanie Baggio,
  • Stéphanie Baggio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2024.1605896
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 69

Abstract

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Objectives: Knowledge on mental health consultations in immigration detention and characteristics of people receiving consultations is scarce. Based on a sample of 230 adult men in immigration detention in Switzerland, we aimed to: (1) Quantify the proportion of persons receiving mental health consultations during detention; and (2) Identify socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with mental health consultations.Methods: Retrospective observational study with a cross-sectional design. Prevalence estimates, logistic regressions, and contingency tables were used to analyse the data.Results: A total of 30% of the sample received mental health consultations during detention. Time spent in immigration detention, mental health problems during detention, use of psychotropic medication, and self-harm were associated with mental health consultations. Although mental health consultations are provided to people with more severe mental health problems, 41% of persons with assessed mental health needs during the initial screening and 26% of those who self-harmed during detention did not receive mental health consultations.Conclusion: Mental health resources and screening procedures could be improved to ensure that mental health consultations are matched to clinical need in immigration detention settings.

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