Why immigration detention may be harmful to the mental health of people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

I have recently signed up to volunteer for Medical Justice, writing reports for people being held in immigration detention. Off the back of this, I have written a blog on the impact of immigration detention on mental health.

Introduction 

Immigration detention can have profound consequences on mental health, particularly for those already living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a diagnosis given when individuals have experienced a significant trauma or multiple traumatic events and are experiencing the following set of symptoms: Re-experiencing (nightmares and flashbacks), avoidance and hypervigilance.

Individuals who are detained in an immigration centre frequently have a history of trauma and are living with PTSD symptoms. For example, often asylum seekers may have experienced severe trauma and human rights abuses such as violence, persecution, torture and detainment. In such cases being detained will likely cause significant harm and retraumatisation to individual’s living with PTSD as immigration detention is characterised by uncertainty, isolation, and restricted freedom.

For individuals with PTSD, the experience of confinement may evoke memories of past traumatic events, triggering reliving experiences, heightened anxiety, and distress. The lack of control over their environment, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding their immigration status, can amplify feelings of powerlessness, intensifying the emotional toll on those already struggling with PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD are likely to worsen for individual’s placed in immigration detention leading to feelings of helplessness and low mood. The Royal College of Psychiatry (2021) note that in this context ‘the risk of agitation, including self-harm, aggression and suicide, are likely to increase significantly, leading to the high rates of such behaviour being observed in detainees.’

Moreover, the social isolation inherent in detention facilities can compound the challenges faced by individuals with PTSD. Social support is a crucial factor in mitigating the impact of trauma, yet immigration detention often severs individuals from their support networks. This isolation can intensify feelings of loneliness and despair, further compromising the mental well-being of those with PTSD.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists also emphasises the importance of access to appropriate mental health care within immigration detention. Furthermore, torture survivors have a right to rehabilitation. Unfortunately, these facilities often lack adequate mental health resources and specialist services tailored to the complex needs of individuals with PTSD. Insufficient access to mental health support can lead to a worsening of symptoms and hinder the recovery process for those with PTSD. Furthermore, to effectively engage in trauma therapy, it is crucial that the individual feels safe and secure in their current environment to process the past. However, given the nature of immigration detention individuals are likely to continue feeling unsafe and unable to process historic trauma.

Immigration detention is likely to cause further significant harm to individuals with a history of trauma and PTSD.