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The Cruelty of Containment: The Mental Health Toll of the EU’s ‘Hotspot’ Approach on the Greek Islands
Contents Executive summary
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Introduction
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Report methodology
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Section 1: A damaging context for mental health: humanitarian, political and COVID-19 a) Steadily worsening humanitarian situation on Greek Islands
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b) Deteriorating political environment
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c) Perfect storm: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
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Section 2: The severe toll of containment policies on people’s mental health a) The IRC mental health and psychosocial support programme: data and findings
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b) Impact of gaps in access to medical services, particularly mental healthcare
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c) Impact of gaps in access to protection, essential services and an effective asylum system
i) Unsafe past: Lack of protection
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ii) Undignified present: Basic needs unmet
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iii) Uncertain futures: Lack of information, legal support and early integration
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Section 3: The EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum Preventing past mistakes to guarantee a fresh start
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a) New pre-screening and border procedures: the need to guarantee safeguards and a fair process
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b) No more Morias? The need for dignified reception conditions
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c) A fresh start: The need for meaningful solidarity and responsibility-sharing
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Conclusion 30 Recommendations
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References
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Acknowledgements Written by Martha Roussou and Niamh Nic Carthaigh, with special thanks to Victor Beaume. With thanks also to Dimitra Kalogeropoulou, Georgia Karoutzou, Georgia Berlemi, Dimitra Mantzari, Kiki Michailidou, Giorgos Papadimitriou, Dukas Protogiros, Irini Serafim, Beth Farmer, Lena Donner and Imogen Sudbery and all the IRC mental health programme staff on Lesvos, Chios & Samos.
Particular thanks in addition to the people attending IRC mental health services who shared their stories and experiences with us. Also thanks to the local and central government representatives, governmental and intergovernmental agencies’ officials and the numerous medical, legal and protection NGOs working on the ground, who agreed to be interviewed for this report. Illustrations by Jocie Juritz/IRC.
