Guidelines for psychologists working with refugees & asylum seekers
source: The BPS News
published: 12 February 2018
When asylum seekers arrive in the UK they may believe this signals an end to their difficulties, but the reality can be different.
Professor Bill Yule from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, says:
“Asylum seekers have shown great fortitude in fleeing to this country. They bring many skills and experiences with them. But they may not always be familiar with the way things are done in their new country. Many individuals and organisations have offered to help them settle, but while many local communities show support, some others may show a lack of interest or worse. Asylum seekers may experience a lot of stresses such as homelessness, social exclusion, stereotyping and overt discrimination. The psychological impact of this realisation can be significant.”
This is one of the points emphasised in new guidelines for psychologists working with refugees and asylum seekers produced by the British Psychological Society.
Produced by the Society’s Presidential Taskforce on Refugees and Asylum Seekers, of which Professor Yule was Chair, these guidelines say psychologists have an important role in supporting refugees and asylum seekers and supporting the institutions and communities of which they form part.
