Presentation Information
[SY-97]Support to refugees. From clinical support to systematic consideration
Natalia Burtseva2, Shimpei Hanaoka3, Jin Yong Jun4, Kohei Kishi5, Tsuyoshi Akiyama1 (1.Rokubancho Mental Clinic(Japan), 2.Psychiatrist (Ukraine), 3.Chiba Emergency and Psychiatric Medical Center(Japan), 4.Department of Psychiatry, Ulsan University Hospital(Korea), 5.Yotsuya Yui Clinic, Higashi-Nihon Immigration Center(Japan))
Keywords:
Refugees,Mental status,Treatment
The number of refugees and other forcibly displaced people worldwide is at a record high, with over 120 million people displaced as of April 2024. The World Health Organization published “Mental health of refugees and migrants: risk and protective factors and access to care” in 2023. In this symposium, Natalia Burtseva reports critical points regarding the mental status of evacuated Ukrainians in Japan, the assessment of predictors of deterioration in mental health, the cultural features of Ukrainian identity, an analysis of the realities and prospects of adaptation in Japanese society, and the provision of professional clinical assistance. Shimpei Hanaoka points out that Japan accepts extremely few immigrants and refugees, and public interest and support systems for addressing refugee issues remain inadequate. Refugee support entails "twofold challenges": insufficient societal recognition and support systems, practical difficulties in managing patients burdened with trauma, cultural and linguistic barriers, and distrust of medical institutions. This gap significantly strains healthcare providers and underscores the pressing need to reassess Japan's approach. According to Dr. Jose Ramos, the phenomenological clinical presentation is modulated by cultural dress. Especially for refugees, it is essential to consider this as the stress of acculturation will be stronger than in the case of voluntary migration, and their culture of origin will more intensely modulate the symptoms. The differences in the clinical presentation of psychopathological symptoms are analyzed and compared between the native Spanish and the refugees. Kouhei Kishi discusses “Institutional distrust of refugee patients with persecution experiences and the barriers to building therapeutic relationships.” Refugees who have experienced persecution in their home countries often develop a deep distrust toward systems and authority. After relocating to Japan, this distrust can lead to suspicion of public institutions, including medical facilities, making it challenging to build therapeutic relationships. He will explore strategies for effective treatment approaches.