Mental health help lacking in London

Only half of London’s mental health trusts provide services specifically for asylum seekers and refugees, according to a new report.

The study, commissioned by London’s 11 patient and public involvement mental health forums, also finds there was a lack of awareness among most of the capital’s primary care trusts that refugees and asylum seekers have needs that require specialist knowledge.

And it claims that services for the group were difficult to find and that some staff were unaware of who was responsible for supporting asylum seekers and refugees.

The study calls for primary and secondary care providers to receive health awareness training on refugees and the migration process.