Asylum: refugees often do not recognize mental illness

Afghan man commits suicide in Nidwalden – case reveals serious problem

A 22-year-old Afghan man committed suicide in the canton of Nidwalden last week. The competent authorities did not know that he was suffering from mental health problems.

Last week, a 22-year-old Afghan man committed suicide in Buochs, in the canton of Nidwalden. This is what the Nidwalden authorities wrote in a press release. The young man had been in Switzerland since the summer of 2015 and had the status of temporary admission. That is, his asylum application was rejected, but an expulsion to Afghanistan was not reasonable.

The 22 year old had been well integrated in Nidwalden, had taken a compulsory German course in addition to compulsory language teaching and had been doing an internship at a company in Ennetbürgen since this summer. He lived in an apartment shared with three Afghan roommates, the canton wrote in his statement.

According to the office responsible for asylum and refugees, there was no indication of suicide. "The man did not comment on his problems nor did he make any suicidal thoughts," the authorities said. We only know that the young man suffered from severe abdominal pain two months ago. The family doctor then directed him to a psychiatrist.

The case of the 22-year-old Buochs ​​Afghans highlights a problem in the Swiss asylum system, which often remains in the dark: fighting refugees with mental health problems, even if they have suicidal thoughts, this remains undetectable for a long time. There is no systematic investigation to detect mental illnesses. This, although experts assume that every third refugee has a mental illness.

Franziska Müller is Head of Department
at the policy consulting firm Interface. On behalf of the federal government
she examined last year like in Switzerland around
Health care for asylum seekers. She came with her team
Finally, especially in the detection and treatment of
There is a great need for action in mental illness.

Asylum seekers would be after their
Arrival in Switzerland at reception and processing centers a
Go through a health check. This is very general
outfit. "Asylum seekers are only on diseases like
Tuberculosis has been tested and received information on HIV. Mental illnesses play in the
Do not investigate, "says Müller.

Still at the cantonal level in the
Collective centers would not systematically occupy the inhabitants
mental problems addressed. According to Müller, some are still
not even a health worker, let alone mental health
Staff trained in disease or trauma, present but
only social workers. Fighting an asylum seeker with mental illness
Problems, he must take the initiative and get help. "But that's exactly where the problem lies – for the mentally ill to handle it.
Often, do not come from their own misery, "as well
Müller.

In his office, Müller
found that there are big differences between the cantons. So be it
The cantons of Western Switzerland better placed than early detection
mental health problems among asylum seekers. In the cantons of Geneva and Vaud in particular, healthcare facilities are much more vulnerable to migration than in German-speaking Switzerland. It is difficult to overcome these differences. The Confederation can only make recommendations to the cantons,
but not the instructions.

At least you have now recognized that
there is a problem, says Müller. Based on his study of
Last year, the Federal Office of Public Health ordered that
nationwide a spotlight on the mental health of
Asylum seekers are thrown out. He has another investigation into
Assignment whose results will be published in December.

Mortaza Shahed knows how much the fate of the refugees is psychic. The 31-year-old Afghan cameraman shot a short film on the subject a year ago. In "Lost Paradise", he describes an Afghan refugee who thinks of suicide because he can not make a living in Switzerland.

Shahed himself fled to Afghanistan with his family four years ago. First, he received, as Buochs' defender, aged 22, an F approval. This temporary admission was a psychological torture for him, he says. "You never know if you will not be expelled suddenly, I've always been scared." He had never seen a doctor during his stay at the asylum. He was not addressed to his mental state either. Even asking for psychological support is not even involved, says Shahed.

His situation improved sharply when the Federal Administrative Court decided one year ago to recognize him as a refugee. He received a permanent residence permit. He found a job, was able to establish in Switzerland. But for many of his compatriots, the situation remains difficult: "They have already come to Switzerland traumatized and face extremely difficult problems, they receive no help." Shahed is aware of several refugees who have not could not endure and killed themselves. That's why the movie. "I wanted to shake myself," he says.