The Australian Psychological Society (APS) said it is disappointed that the Nauru medical transfer bill failed to pass the Australian Parliament yesterday.
The bill would have enabled critically-ill adults and children in offshore detention to be transferred to Australia for medical treatment at the request of doctors.
APS President Ros Knight said: “It’s well known there’s a mental health crisis in offshore detention and it’s absolutely critical all refugees receive mental health care of an appropriate standard. It’s now clear this can only be achieved by transferring them to Australia.”
“The Government has a responsibility to the health of all refugees in its care, and the power to bring them to Australia now.”
New data released this week by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) shows the extreme mental health decline of refugees on Nauru, including high rates of severe depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD.
Sixty five per cent of refugees seen by MSF, including children as young as 9, had thoughts of suicide, attempted suicide or engaged in self-harm.
“The MSF data adds to a decade of overwhelming evidence detention itself is an ongoing trauma causing new mental health problems,” said Ms Knight. “It also shows psychological treatment is unlikely to be effective while refugees are still in detention.”
The APS is opposed to offshore immigration detention and wants all refugees brought to Australia while their refugee claims are processed.
Ms Knight said the serious mental health impacts of long-term immigration detention can last well beyond the period of detention, particularly where there is inadequate access to mental health and other services.
The APS urges the Australian Government to adopt a fair refugee status determination process, which:
• minimizes the use of immigration detention and does not detain children and families
• does not use detention facilities offshore or in remote locations
• prioritises community-based alternatives to detention
• processes refugee claims as quickly as possible.
APS position statement: Psychological wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia
For more information, or to arrange an interview call the APS Media team on 03 8662 3358 / 0435 896 444, or email. Find the APS Media team on Twitter: @AustPsych
The APS is the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 27,000 members. The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives, through improving psychological knowledge and community wellbeing.