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Anxiety and Depression in Migrants

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Neurology in Migrants and Refugees

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

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Abstract

Depression and anxiety specifically in migrants is an emerging topic, since about 272 million people are migrating worldwide. The prevalence of depression seems to be similar in first generation migrants and the native population, but increases in the second and further generations. However, it is often reported that the rate of depression is significantly higher in migrants, especially in refugees. People, who are moving to another country with a specific culture are subject to risk factors, which need special attention. Treatment of depression and anxiety and suicide prevention should be seen under cultural aspects and would need the professionals’ “cultural competency” and their awareness of being in a specific cultural context themselves. About 800,000 people commit suicide every year worldwide and it is assumed that the rate is higher among migrants because of the higher prevalence rate of depression. It is important to be aware that suicide has different meanings in societies of different cultures and therefore suicide prevention and treatment need cultural sensitivity. The WHO has developed the Mental health Action Plan (2013–2020) and the Mental Health Gap action Plan (mhGAP) to improve mental health and well-being worldwide and to improve treatment and care in Low and Middle Income Countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychosozialer Dienst Wien, Vienna, Austria

    Simon Grisold

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  1. Simon Grisold
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Neurology and Neuropsychology, Director of the Alzheimer’s Center of Rabat, The Mohammed-V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Mustapha El Alaoui-Faris

  2. Emeritus Professor of Neurology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    Antonio Federico

  3. Specialist for Neurology and Psychiatry, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Wien, Austria

    Wolfgang Grisold

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Grisold, S. (2022). Anxiety and Depression in Migrants. In: El Alaoui-Faris, M., Federico, A., Grisold, W. (eds) Neurology in Migrants and Refugees. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81058-0_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81058-0_24

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-81057-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-81058-0

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