Main theme
Access to health care and psychological support
Other relevant themes
Promote inclusion and integration, awareness-raising
Actors involved
Council of Europe Youth Department, VYRE, EYMH
Aims
This study session aimed to increase mental health literacy of refugee and migrant youth, people working with them, and to advocate for the enjoyment of the right to mental health for these groups.
Description
The study session was co-designed by youth organisations run by those with lived experience of migration. The session supported young migrants and youth workers working in the field of migration, refugees and mental health to learn about (mental) health and its legal framework. Key strengths of this initiative included the rights-based and peer-inclusive learning environment. This environment facilitated participants to discuss challenges to accessing mental health support, as well as cultural sensitivity and inclusion in the context of refugees and mental health. Importantly, there was a focus on culturally sensitive psychosocial support and the empowerment of refugee youth and practitioners to exchange good practices and co-create mental health awareness campaigns. The participants also had the opportunity to have a meaningful exchange with Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees – Ms Leyla Kayacik. During which, they raised their concerns and questions relevant to the topic at hand and learned about the Council of Europe work in the field of migration and refugees.
Results/ Outcomes
This initiative brought together 33 young refugees, migrants, and youth practitioners to strengthen understanding of mental health challenges and promote peer-led strategies across Europe. Overall, the participants described having a safe intercultural learning space which supported them to learn in good conditions. There was a multiplier effect of the study session, with participants overall reporting they would implement some of the things they learned during this study session into their daily lives. Many underlined, for instance, that they would implement the methods and tools gained from this study session in their local contexts.
Links to further information
- https://eymh.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FINAL-REPORT-VYRE-EYMH-study-session-2022.pdf
- https://www.coe.int/en/web/youth/-/managing-mental-health-as-a-refugee-asylum-seeker-and-migrant
Main theme
Other relevant themes
Promote inclusion and integration, awareness-raising
Actors involved
Aims
Description
Results/ Outcomes