How can the state adequately protect the mental health of child and adolescent refugees?

Prof. Mina Fazel

Mina is Professor of Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. The main focus of her research is on how to improve access to mental health interventions for children and adolescents. She has a particular interest in school-based mental health interventions. Refugee mental health needs have been a longstanding interest and Mina has previously examined the epidemiology of (and the risk and protective factors for) mental health difficulties in refugee children. She is concerned about the psychological impacts of immigration detention and has an active interest in Narrative Exposure Therapy for PTSD. Mina works clinically as a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Children's Psychological Medicine at Oxford University Hospitals.

Dr. Zoe Given Wilson

Zoe is a clinical psychologist and a researcher at the Centre for the Study of Emotion and Law at Royal Holloway University of London. Her research focuses on psychological issues pertinent to children and adults seeking international protection, such as trauma and memory, credibility and decision-making. Zoe has contributed to UNHCR guidance on credibility assessment in young people, UK Home Office training for asylum caseworkers and European Union Agency for Asylum training as well as working alongside 3rd sector organisations in the field. Zoe also works in the NHS providing a service for children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, and are in local authority care, including many who are unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. She works directly with young people and systemically with the professional systems around the child to try and improve their well-being.

Raawiyah Rifath (Chair)

Raawiyah is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Exeter. She is completing her PhD with the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health. Raawiyah uses a transdisciplinary approach of law and psychology to research the burden and standard of proof relating to asylum claims based on sexual orientation alongside this cohort's specific vulnerabilities. The results of this research will propose reforms to the UK's asylum process to better accommodate these vulnerabilities and protect wellbeing.

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Meeting ID: 996 8291 1951

Password: 197008