Mental ill-health and suicidal behaviour in asylum seekers and refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic

WITHOUT DOUBT, THE COVID-19 PANDEMICis the greatest Public Health challenge of ourtime. Naturally, incidence rates of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality as well asdiscussions on the most suitable strategies tolower them, have dominated media and scientific reporting. Increasingly, though, attentionhas also been given to the possible mentalhealth consequences of the pandemic. Here,asylum seekers and refugees are a particularrisk group as levels of mental ill-health havebeen already high before the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, there are several reasonsto expect suicide rates in asylum seekers/refugees to increase in the wake of the pandemic.Here we raise key points of concern andsuggest priorities for research and preventioninitiatives.WITHOUT DOUBT, THE COVID-19 PANDEMICis the greatest Public Health challenge of ourtime. Naturally, incidence rates of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality as well asdiscussions on the most suitable strategies tolower them, have dominated media and scientific reporting. Increasingly, though, attentionhas also been given to the possible mentalhealth consequences of the pandemic. Here,asylum seekers and refugees are a particularrisk group as levels of mental ill-health havebeen already high before the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, there are several reasonsto expect suicide rates in asylum seekers/refugees to increase in the wake of the pandemic.Here we raise key points of concern andsuggest priorities for research and preventioninitiatives