How Asylum Process Effect Applicant's Health

  The asylum process is a complex and lengthy procedure that determines whether a person is eligible for international protection. It can have significant effects on the health and life of the applicants, especially those who have experienced trauma and violence in their countries of origin or during their journey. In this essay, I will discuss some of the main challenges and risks that the asylum process poses for the mental health of the applicants, and how they can be addressed.

One of the main challenges is the uncertainty and unpredictability of the asylum process, which can create a lot of stress and anxiety for the applicants. They may not know how long they will have to wait for a decision, what criteria will be used to assess their claims, what evidence they will need to provide, or what will happen to them if they are rejected. This can affect their sense of safety, control, and hope for the future. According to a study by Laban et al. (2004), long asylum procedures were identified as a risk factor for the development of anxiety and depressive and somatoform(Somatic symptom disorder) in adult Iraqi asylum seekers.

Another challenge is the impact of the asylum interviews on the mental health of the applicants. The interviews are often conducted in a formal and intimidating setting, where the applicants have to recount their traumatic experiences in detail and answer questions that may seem intrusive or irrelevant. This can trigger painful memories and emotions, and cause re-traumatization or secondary victimization. A study by Schock et al. (2015) found elevated levels of mental distress and increased posttraumatic stress symptoms after asylum interviews.

A third challenge is the influence of the asylum status on the mental health of the applicants. The asylum status determines whether the applicants are granted protection and access to rights and services, or whether they are denied and face deportation or detention. The outcome of the asylum process can have a profound effect on the well-being and recovery of the applicants, as it can either provide them with stability and security, or expose them to further instability and fear. A study by Vukčević Marković et al. (2021) showed that refusal of asylum had a negative effect on the well-being of unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs), as it produced a situation of instability and fear of return.

These challenges and risks can be mitigated by adopting a more humane and sensitive approach to the asylum process, that takes into account the mental health needs and vulnerabilities of the applicants. Some possible measures are:

- Reducing the waiting time and providing clear information about the procedure and the criteria for decision-making.

- Providing psychological support and counseling before, during, and after the asylum interviews, and ensuring that the interviewers are trained in trauma-informed interviewing techniques.

- Recognizing the impact of trauma on memory, cognition, and emotion, and avoiding making judgments based on inconsistencies or discrepancies in the applicants' testimonies.

- Providing adequate legal representation and interpretation services for the applicants, and ensuring that their rights are respected throughout the process.

- Offering alternative forms of protection or humanitarian assistance for those who are not granted refugee status, but who cannot return to their countries due to safety or health reasons.

The asylum process is not only a legal procedure, but also a human experience that can have lasting consequences on the health and life of the applicants. Therefore, it is important to ensure that it is conducted in a way that respects their dignity, protects their well-being, and facilitates their integration into society.