Do you have questions about #COVID19's impact on refugees & how you can help?
During #RefugeeWeek2020, we will host a Q&A with the 3 public health doctors who co-wrote our report #AnUnsafeDistance.
Reply below with your questions & they will respond on Jun 18 @ 1pm BST 👇
Find out more about the report: doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/news/covid19-r…
A question from Becky (@becky_large97): How has the mental health of refugee women been affected by COVID-19, and has this impacted mental health services directed towards them?
Thanks for your question @becky_large97, Dr Amy Stevens here:
Interviewees spoke of loneliness, fear, anxiety & depression. Loss of drop-in services, face2face counselling & social contact has exacerbated existing mental health problems. Virtual support groups have been helpful for some but many can’t afford phone credit/internet data 1/
The govt. should make funding available to support the safe re-opening of outreach and drop-in services. Provision of devices/credit/data would increase access to remote support/therapy and enable social contact with friends 2/
Parents spoke of stress associated with entertaining/schooling children in lockdown as have few resources & no online access. Missing mother/toddler support groups. Also anxieties about keeping children safe esp. when unable to social distance in asylum accommodation 3/
Family welfare checks; provision of toys/books/online access; and access to nursery/school provision during lockdown could help.
More info on #mentalhealth & #COVID19 in Chapters 8 & 11: doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/wp-content/upl… 4/
A big thank you to everyone who submitted questions & tuned in today! 🙏
And to our expert panel: Dr Anna Ray, Dr Amy Stevens & Dr Ahimza Thirunavukarasu, who generously donated their time to this important research & today's Q&A. /1
We hope you found the Q&A interesting & insightful & encourage you to use our report #AnUnsafeDistance as a resource:
➡️ to push for change
➡️ challenge stigmatization
➡️ support everyone in the community during #COVID19
See the full report: doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/wp-content/upl… /2
During #RefugeeWeek2020, we will continue to discuss the findings & what must be done to protect refugees & other excluded groups in times of crisis & beyond.
If you missed the live Q&A but still have a question for the panel, please comment below & they will respond ASAP 👇 /3
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