By the A.M. Costa Rica staff and wire services

Highlighting the deep impact that the Covic-19 pandemic is having on the mental health of people worldwide, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) called on Sunday for pro-active measures to be taken by governments worldwide to ensure that the mental health and psycho-social needs of migrants and displaced persons are taken into consideration in governments’ responses. 

According to IOM, the call is in line with United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, of a policy brief titled Covid-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health, which highlights the mental health consequences of the pandemic and urges governments, civil society, health authorities and others to invest in and prioritize mental health during the pandemic response and beyond. 

This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) will be holding its 73rd World Health Assembly, in which the Member States and other stakeholders are due to discuss the impacts of covid-19.

" IOM reiterates the importance of taking into consideration the mental health dimensions of the crisis, in particular the effects it has on migrants, displaced persons and other vulnerable groups, said the organization in its statement. “Everyone is affected by this pandemic,” said António Vitorino, IOM Director-General. 

The stresses of confinement, job loss, stigma and xenophobia certainly have an impact on mental health, said Vitorino. "Those most vulnerable including migrants, mobile populations, and seasonal workers, face a unique set of challenges. We must ensure everyone is included in our mental health response, especially during covid-19.”

According to IOM, in the current global environment, migrants face specific stressors and, too often, many continue to have unequal access to health – let alone mental health – care. The most vulnerable, for example, those who find themselves in irregular situations, might be forced to contend with poor housing or overcrowded conditions, as well as precarious, informal, or dangerous working situations. While some are working on the frontlines of the crisis, others may have lost their source of income or found themselves quarantined in squalid situations.

Lacking safety nets or support systems, sometimes far away from their families, may have difficulties accessing reliable information, in a language that they can understand, on the disease and related services available. Those who do have information may be afraid to seek help for their symptoms due to fear of arrest or deportation, said the international organization in its statement. 

Given all these realities that can lead to migrants being more vulnerable to mental and psychosocial issues, IOM advocates for government efforts to be migrant-inclusive, regardless of legal statuses, to ensure an equitable mental health response to COVID-19 and leave no one behind.

Also the UN call for mental health actions to be considered essential components of national responses to COVID-19, including reducing pandemic-related adversities known to harm mental health, developing psychosocially-aware communication strategies, offering mental health and psycho-social support in emergencies, investing in remote mental health interventions, ensuring the continuation of in-person care for those with severe mental health conditions, and promoting participatory approaches.


---------------------------
Do you think migrants are more vulnerable to mental and psycho-social issues due to the pandemic? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

Costa Rica preview technology pooling initiative to ensure access to covid-19 health products for all
➡️ Continue reading