Introduction

• Pages: 8-11

8 - EASO Mental health of applicants for international protection i n Europe

1.Introduction

The EASO Vulnerability Experts Network (VEN) identified mental health in asylum as a priority for2020. VEN

members stated that first-line officers face challenges when wor king with applicants thatpresent with

mental health concerns. Anecdotes of aggressive behaviour by applicants against themselves (self-harm),

towards other residents in reception centres and verbal aggression towards caseofficersduring interviews

were shared duringgroup sessions inlast year’s VENannual conference. Signs of depression, withdrawal and

anxiety in applicants were mentioned. These signs were exhibited particularly bythose who have bee n in

Europe for months and even years without a decision, or those who have filed a subsequent application.

Concerns around the credibility of content shared during intervie w by theseapplicants were also seen as

challenging by some members of the network.

As a first step in responding to the VEN request, EASO develop ed a surveythat included two separate

questionnaires9. The survey tookinto accounttheinformal discuss ions during the last annual conference

and VEN meeting(29thof Oct 2019). One questionnaire focused on potential mental health concerns of

applicants in reception facilities and the related challenges for professionals. The second questionnaire

focusedon challenges arising during the personalinterview for professional and applicants alike.

The purpose of the survey was to gain a better understanding on:

• the major mental health concerns applicants present and which arethe ma in vulnerable groups

according to first-line officers in reception as well as case officers;

• the way the work of first-line officers in reception and during the personalinterv iew is affected by

mental health conditions ofapplicants;

• the needs to be addressed by authorities and organisations worki ng in the context of asylum to ensure

professional, timely and continuous identification, respo nse to andprevention10of mental health

concerns ofapplicants.

Up to now,EASO and its various networks have not yet worke d specifically on the topic of mental health of

applicants for international protection. Asa first step,EASO is sharing this initial mapping report with the

networks (VEN, the EASO Network of Reception Authorities and Asylum Processes Network), all of which

participated in this surveyas a base for follow-up and identification of additional areas fo r support.

9See both questionnaires (reception and asylum interview) in full in Annex I.

10As per Articles 21 and 22 RCD.