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

Another subject reported a positive reaction to counseling she receivedfrom a volunteer visitor, and expressed a desire for more.If there was someone to talk to about my problems, I would be interestedin talking to them. It’s good because it comforts you and you feelyou are not alone.Others did not request mental health services because of concernsabout how mental health problems would be perceived, especially bythose deciding their asylum cases. “I didn’t want the INS judge to thinkthat I am defective, and not want me as a citizen,” said one asylum seeker.One detainee wanted counseling for feelings of sadness, nervousness,and difficulty sleeping but had not requested them because he did not feelcomfortable talking with INS staff:The INS officers just pass by so fast, I didn’t want to bring it up. Also, ifthey advertised such counseling, I would have taken it.Another asylum seeker reports that she never asked about counselingbecause, “They don’t offer that. I think it would be nice if they had peopleto come and give counseling or just listen to you that would ease the load.”Medications for anxiety and depression appeared to be more readilyavailable, although individuals reported often not asking for medicationsbecause they were unaware that such medicines were available. For example,when a PHR-Bellevue/NYU interviewer asked an asylum seeker withsignificant symptoms of depression if anyone had spoken to him aboutmedication for depression, he said “What is that?”Most of the individuals in this study who asked for medication receivedit, and many reported finding the medications helpful. For example, onedetainee commented:Before taking the medicine, I was much more nervous. This has lightenedthe feeling. But even with the medication, I still feel nervous andsad. I think this is because of being in detention.Other individuals reported difficulty obtaining adequate medication.For example one individual reported asking a health provider at a detentionfacility about medicine for feeling sad, but was told there was none.Another individual commented:I was repeatedly given the same medications without relief. I asked formedications to help me sleep. They gave me the same medication I wastaking for my allergy, but it didn’t help.Several detainees voiced concerns about what they perceived as the negativeeffects of unfamiliar medications which were prescribed to otherdetainees who sought mental health care.80 FROM PERSECUTION TO PRISON