2024

Mental Health of people with migration and refugee background in a changing Europe-challenges and solutions

Webinar Overview

Migration is a global phenomenon, which is not a new fact, it exists as long as human beings. Today, in many countries there is a focus on people with migration and refugee background and it is discussed controversially. At the same time, mental health problems are a major cause of global and societal stress and are a growing public health concern. Migrants and refugees are at risk of receiving poorer quality healthcare due, in part, to racist and discriminatory attitudes, behaviours and policies in the health system. Furthermore, despite fleeing war and conflict; exposure to torture and traumatic events and living with uncertainty; these people are at high-risk of experiencing long-term poor physical and mental health outcomes in their host country. Several studies have highlighted the negative impact of racial discrimination on mental health, particularly in relation to the development of affective, psychotic, and substance use disorders.

Led by Prof. Meryam Schouler-Ocak (Germany), Chair of the EPA Committee on Ethical Issues, this webinar will delve into the complex mental health challenges faced by people with migration and refugee backgrounds in Europe. Prof. Schouler-Ocak, an esteemed expert in this field, will guide the discussion, bringing together leading voices to explore potential solutions, joined by two recognised experts: Prof. Marianne Kastrup and Prof. Dinesh Bhugra.

Join us for this important discussion to better understand and address the mental health challenges faced by migrants and refugees in Europe.

Speakers

Explore the biographies of our distinguished speakers to learn more about their expertise:

Prof. Marianne Kastrup (Denmark): “Mental Health of People with Migration and Refugee Background – Data and Facts”, Biography.
Prof. Dinesh Bhugra (UK): “How Could the Mental Health of People with Migration and Refugee Background Be Improved?”, Biography.

Webinar details

Title: Mental Health of People with Migration and Refugee Background in a Changing Europe—Challenges and Solutions
Date: Tuesday 10 December 2024
Time: 16:00 – 17:00 CET
Chair: Prof. Meryam Schouler-Ocak, Chair of the EPA Committee on Ethical Issues

Transgender, Ethical Challenges and Mental Health

The legitimation of transgender identity has become a widely spread phenomenon in many societies across the world. Contingently to its social aspect, it is promoted by various social groups in the name of the individual’s rights. While physicians from various disciplines are very involved in the medical transformation process, they have scarce information about its psychological outcomes. In such a context, what is the psychiatrist’s role in the medical committee and what are the biomedical ethical guidelines? In this webinar, we will discuss ethical boundaries in children and adolescents and ensuring transgender youth receive the care they need.

Led by Prof. Dr. Meryam Schouler-Ocak, chair of the EPA Committee on Ethical Issues, this webinar took place on Friday 28 June from 15:00 to 16:00 (CEST). We were pleased to organise this event with recognised experts in this field:

Prof. Samuel Tyano, Member of the Committee on Ethical Issues of the EPA (Israel): “Ethical bounderies in child and adolescents”, Biography.
Dr. Patricia van Wijngaarden-Cremers, Senior consultant psychiatrist specialized in Gender, Developmental Disorders and Addiction (Netherlands): “Ensuring care for transgender adolescents who need it – Response to „Reconsidering informed consent for trans-identified children, adolescents and young adults”, Biography.

Watch the webinar video for more insights

Ethical Principles and Dilemmas in Psychiatry

Led by Prof. Dr. Meryam Schouler-Ocak, chair of the EPA Committee on Ethical Issues, this webinar took place on Tuesday 6 February from 14:30 to 15:30 (CET) and featured the following speakers:

Dr. Jan Wise, NHS Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry (United Kingdom) – Biography
“Termination of Pregnancy: Good Intentions Pave the Way – an Analysis of a High Profile Recent Case in the UK:” Most countries allow women to terminate a pregnancy at some stage, with boundaries at which it becomes a criminal act varying. Whilst a desperate act, culpability and guilt are distinct from the consequences of a guilty act – Actus Reus. A case from the criminal division of the justice system of England & Wales will serve to illustrate the perils of this moral maze.
Prof. Dr. Rutger Jan van der Gaag, MD PhD (1950), Emeritus Professor of psychiatry (Netherlands), psychosomatics and psychotherapy (Latvia) – Biography
“Mental Pain and Suffering poses an Ethical Dilemma to each Psychiatrist:” A Dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable. The Physicians Plegde (2017) may or not help, when it comes to serious choices between quantity and quality of live in regard of the patient’s will that should be respected. Psychiatrists are in the position of assessing individuals capacity to decide. Mental suffering is terrible. This is illustrated by the theoretical question addressed to individuals that have endured both cancer and depression, choosing for cancer if they were to have one or the other again. A psychiatrist should prevent suicide. But how to deal with the question of the patient that asks for assisted dying because his/her suffering is unbearable and psychiatrist cannot offer prospects of improvement or recovery. A poignant dilemma to be discussed.