From Persecution to Prison - Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of ...

I decided it would help to talk with someone, but the other inmates toldme they had asked, but it wasn’t available. So I didn’t bother asking.This same detainee reported that she found it helpful talking to a psychiatristthat her lawyer had subsequently arranged to interview her forher asylum application.I told [the psychiatrist] things that I had never told anyone. It upliftedme, but it also made me very sad.One detainee who reported extreme symptoms of anxiety, including afearful sense of reliving traumatizing events and somatic pain when sherecalled her abuse, said of psychological counseling:I don’t even know if it exists. No one has ever mentioned it as a possibility.If it did, I would be very interested.Several detainees expressed appreciation for what little counseling theyreceived, whether from an INS-provided mental health professional or avolunteer visitor. Access from outside visitors is limited, however. Onedetainee, for example, who reported receiving counseling from a detaineeprayer group, reflected on “the power of having others sharing my burden.Their counseling, their welcoming, makes my bad thoughts disappear.”Another detainee cited the support of friends as well as a psychiatrist.He reports that some individuals from his village who now lived in theUnited States would visit him approximately once a month.I tell them I am sad, have low morale and am not at peace. When theytell me to be brave and that one day there will be a decision, we have tobe patient – that encourages me.He also reported being seen several times by a psychiatrist provided bythe detention center and found this to be helpful. “I found it helpful totalk to [the psychiatrist] about how I am doing.” Additionally, the psychiatristprescribed medication, which the detainee found helpful.One individual reported talking with a counselor at a detention facility,and found it somewhat helpful:I told[the counselor] I’m afraid to go back to my country, and [the counselor]says, ‘Be patient, everything will be okay.’ [the counselor] justsays, ‘Be patient, be patient.’ But it is better than nothing.Another detainee lamented at having had counseling for a brief periodwhich then stopped.A nurse was volunteering to help us with our psychological problemswith 2-3 visits a week for 3 months. It was very helpful, but [the nurse]stopped and we don’t know why. [The nurse] had a small group thatgrew to 15-16 people… it helps to talk and get feelings out, to laugh andforget about things for a bit.MENTAL HEALTH OF DETAINED ASYLUM SEEKERS 79