‘The life of Glasgow pigeons is more certain’
People seeking asylum are known to experience high rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. This research highlights experiences of mental health and wellbeing of people who are – or who have – navigated the asylum process in the UK.
Using a participatory research approach underpinned by a focus on human rights, this work explores the ‘Right to Health’ and looks at how the asylum process affects mental health and wellbeing. This research draws on interviews and photo data to highlight key themes and areas for change.
This research was carried out as part of the Rights in Action project being conducted by the Poverty Alliance together with Maryhill Integration Network. Rights in Action is working with communities across Scotland to raise awareness of how human rights can be used as a tool in the fight against poverty, to increase their capacity to address human rights issues and create a supportive community of practice and to support participatory research projects on human rights issues in Scotland.
As part of Rights in Action, Maryhill Integration Network partnered with the Poverty Alliance. They have worked with a group of four community researchers, Ismail, Juliet, Mohammed and Sekou on a participatory research project examining mental health and wellbeing concerns faced by people seeking asylum in Scotland.
We would like to thank community researchers Ishmail, Juliet, Mohammed and Sekou who took part in and carried out this research, for their time and for sharing their experiences and knowledge. And to staff from the Poverty Alliance, especially Paul for all the support.
Rights in Action is funded by the Scottish Government’s Equality and Human Rights Fund managed and supported by Inspiring Scotland.
