The project aimed to improve access to mental health support for people seeking sanctuary and bridge the gap between primary care and secondary mental health services.
Forced migrants experienced significant barriers to accessing mental health services. When people are referred, the assessment might not include trauma-informed approaches. It may consider their problems as mainly social or due to their asylum process. There is also a repeated cycle of referral, discharge/rejection and re-referral.
In April 2022, an outreach mental health clinic was established for people seeking sanctuary, based at the REST (Recover, Eat, Support and Talk) hub in Norwich (a venue run by Mind). It’s run by a psychiatrist, a GP, an administrator, an assistant psychologist and psychiatric trainees. Referrals are accepted for all age groups and from all sources. The clinic was initially run without funding and was then given funding for 6 months from the local integrated care board (ICB).