Human Rights and Access to Psychiatric Care for Adult Asylum Seekers: Guidelines to Improve Care
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 1 June 2008
Abstract
Psychiatric care for adult asylum seekers has been an area of conflict and turbulence in Sweden over the last 20 years. Sweden has been criticised for being one of the most restrictive EU countries in providing health care for asylum seekers. Mental health care for asylum seekers is characterised by short‐term emergency measures and inequality. The complex regulatory framework tends to be interpreted in a rather arbitrary fashion, which in many cases may lead to unnecessary restrictions. In this paper we present guidelines for care givers and decision makers aiming to improve psychiatric care for adult asylum seekers in Stockholm, Sweden. In this context it is necessary to highlight and discuss the importance of understanding and implementing human rights among health professionals. The overall goal for these guidelines is mental health care for asylum seekers on the same terms, as far as possible, as for Swedish citizens.
Keywords
Citation
Ginsburg, B. and Bäärnhielm, S. (2008), "Human Rights and Access to Psychiatric Care for Adult Asylum Seekers: Guidelines to Improve Care", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1108/17479894200800002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited