Migrants in Greece and mental health issues

Introduction Migration is a difficult and painful process for individuals, since they could no longer rely on the supportive structures of their own country that would help them develop resilience and mental well-being, on the one hand and, on the other hand, they may be obliged to find a new ident...

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Main Author: A. Zartaloudi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2022-06-01
Series:European Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822014067/type/journal_article
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author A. Zartaloudi
author_facet A. Zartaloudi
author_sort A. Zartaloudi
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Migration is a difficult and painful process for individuals, since they could no longer rely on the supportive structures of their own country that would help them develop resilience and mental well-being, on the one hand and, on the other hand, they may be obliged to find a new identity and adapt to a new social context. Objectives To identify mental health issues in migrants in Greece. Methods A literature review has been made through PubMed database. Results First-generation immigrants exhibited an increased risk of poor mental health including increased levels of depression, post-traumatic disorder and anxiety compared to local population. When immigrants come to a new country, they often experience culture shock, significantly influencing their mental health. The term “culture shock” describes feelings of weakness and a state of disorientation of individuals living in a new environment as well as the difficulties they face in the process of their adapting to the new conditions. Individuals lack a social supportive environment while experiencing lack of acceptance, as well as social discrimination, economic exploitation and racism by local society. Additionally, their cultural background can influence and differentiate the way they perceive, react and cope stressful conditions. Conclusions For the smooth completion of the cultural process, mutual adaption to the new conditions of both migrants and host society is needed, focusing on the understanding of different cultural heritage, as well as on the respect and recognition of rights of both sides. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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spelling doaj.art-c1732ee055094612ba86a9679c2b5a542023-11-17T05:05:26ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S549S54910.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1406Migrants in Greece and mental health issuesA. Zartaloudi0University of West Attica, Nursing, Athens, Greece Introduction Migration is a difficult and painful process for individuals, since they could no longer rely on the supportive structures of their own country that would help them develop resilience and mental well-being, on the one hand and, on the other hand, they may be obliged to find a new identity and adapt to a new social context. Objectives To identify mental health issues in migrants in Greece. Methods A literature review has been made through PubMed database. Results First-generation immigrants exhibited an increased risk of poor mental health including increased levels of depression, post-traumatic disorder and anxiety compared to local population. When immigrants come to a new country, they often experience culture shock, significantly influencing their mental health. The term “culture shock” describes feelings of weakness and a state of disorientation of individuals living in a new environment as well as the difficulties they face in the process of their adapting to the new conditions. Individuals lack a social supportive environment while experiencing lack of acceptance, as well as social discrimination, economic exploitation and racism by local society. Additionally, their cultural background can influence and differentiate the way they perceive, react and cope stressful conditions. Conclusions For the smooth completion of the cultural process, mutual adaption to the new conditions of both migrants and host society is needed, focusing on the understanding of different cultural heritage, as well as on the respect and recognition of rights of both sides. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822014067/type/journal_articleGreecemental healthmigration
spellingShingle A. Zartaloudi
Migrants in Greece and mental health issues
European Psychiatry
Greece
mental health
migration
title Migrants in Greece and mental health issues
title_full Migrants in Greece and mental health issues
title_fullStr Migrants in Greece and mental health issues
title_full_unstemmed Migrants in Greece and mental health issues
title_short Migrants in Greece and mental health issues
title_sort migrants in greece and mental health issues
topic Greece
mental health
migration
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822014067/type/journal_article
work_keys_str_mv AT azartaloudi migrantsingreeceandmentalhealthissues