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5 - Assessing mental health needs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2022

By
Julia Nelki  and
Piyal Sen
Edited by
Chris Maloney ,
Julia Nelki  and
Alison Summers
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Summary

The authors outline areas that need special attention. The purpose of the appointment should be explained, and the practicalities of attendance addressed. The attitude/approach of the clinician is discussed in relation to creating a sense of safety and trust. Individuals may fear authority and may have had experiences they find difficult to disclose.

Confidentiality, safety and anxieties about the assessment are reviewed, as people may have little prior knowledge of the system and have had bad past experiences. Acknowledgement and discussion are crucial. More detailed discussion of working with interpreters follows, as this is an often-neglected area. Pros and cons of ‘remote working’ are reviewed.

Some specific aspects of assessment areconsidered: difficulties in disclosure and how to explore issues such as torture, sexual violence, domestic abuse, moral injury, and rape.

People seeking asylum may be isolated with few resources.Strengths should be emphasised, and sources of support identified, and contact facilitated. Feedback and checking understanding are helpful, and often fosters trust.Scrupulous record keeping is emphasised.

Keywords

trustinterpretersconfidentialitysafetyriskcultural differencesflashbacksdissociationpsychotic symptomstorture
Type
Chapter
Information
Seeking Asylum and Mental Health
A Practical Guide for Professionals
 , pp. 90 - 115
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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