In November 2023, the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP) and the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), with financial assistance from EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), co-hosted a dialogue session on the mental health of refugees – a pressing issue in Southeast Asia. This session emerged against a backdrop of ongoing human rights and humanitarian crises in the region, which have compelled numerous individuals and families to seek refuge away from their homes. The trauma associated with displacement is not just physical but deeply emotional and psychological, underscoring the need for accessible mental health support for refugees.
The objectives of this session were multifaceted and aimed at unpacking the complexities of mental health challenges in the refugee context, especially as it relates to refugee communities within Southeast Asia. Key goals included:
1. Understanding the mental health challenges that refugees in the region face.
2. Emphasising the necessity of culturally sensitive, affordable, and accessible mental health services.
3. Gathering insights from experts and organisations actively involved in supporting refugee populations.
4. Highlighting existing initiatives and resources dedicated to enhancing the mental well-being of refugees.
5. Discussing successful, sustainable models and approaches in mental health support for refugees.
Ultimately, the session aimed to develop regional advocacy recommendations to ensure refugees have unhindered access to quality mental health services. The recommendations resulting from the consultation and dialogue held are intended for regional stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and other organizations involved in refugee assistance, specifically to ensure that refugees and other people on the move have unhindered access to quality mental health services.
The report from this Regional Dialogue can be found here.