Mental health and psychosocial support for asylum seekers and refugees in Greece
A narrative review of stressors, needs, services, and barriers
Datos Bibliográficos
| ID | 15396830 |
|---|---|
| Autores | Lars Dumke (0000-0002-1180-6849, Universität Hamburg, autor de correspondencia), Eleni Maousidi-Ziganou (World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe), Penny Kalpaxi (World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe), Ledia Lazeri (0000-0003-2294-7185, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe), Jennifer Hall (0000-0002-1097-9369, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe), Jef Breda (0000-0002-8177-4926, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe), Joäo Breda |
| Año | 2026 |
| Volumen | 25 |
| Número | 1 |
| Fecha de publicación | 2026-02-25 |
| Peer Reviewed | Sí |
| Open Access | Sí |
| Tipo | ARTICLE |
| Revista | International Journal for Equity in Health (JOURNAL) |
| Identificadores de la revista | ISSN: 1475-9276 • E-ISSN: 1475-9276 |
| Editorial | BioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1186/s12939-026-02786-2 |
| PMID | 41742216 |
| OpenAlex | W7131349017 |
| Idioma | EN |
| Referencias citadas | 43 |
Over the past decade, Greece has received a high number of applications for international protection, creating an urgent need for comprehensive mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) systems for asylum seekers and refugees. Despite its central role in the European migration context, there is currently no synthesis of evidence on MHPSS for these populations, which limits the understanding of inequities in mental health outcomes and access to care. This narrative review synthesizes the available evidence on major sources of distress, mental health needs, the landscape of MHPSS services, and barriers to access for asylum seekers and refugees in Greece. We conducted a narrative review adhering to guidance from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on multi-sectoral MHPSS needs and resources assessments. Literature published in English or Greek between January 2015 and May 2025 was identified through PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and targeted web searches. Twenty-five journal articles and five additional sources (situation reports, assessments, and policy documents) were included. The reviewed literature highlights the significant mental health needs of asylum seekers and refugees in Greece. According to the available studies, at least one third of asylum seekers and refugees experience mental health problems, such as depression or PTSD. These elevated mental health needs are linked to displacement, including post-migration stressors, as a critical social determinant of health. Despite considerable efforts to improve MHPSS, access to services and their quality are limited by structural barriers that disproportionately affect asylum seekers and refugees. These include a limited public mental health system, restrictive policies hindering inclusion into national systems, insufficient workforce capacity and inadequate adaptation of services to cultural and contextual needs. Asylum seekers and refugees in Greece experience inequities in both mental health outcomes and access to adequate care. Strengthening MHPSS for asylum seekers and refugees requires a multi-layered approach that addresses social determinants, integrates MHPSS for refugees into national systems, enhances community-based support, builds workforce capacity and competence, and improves monitoring and evaluation. Equity-focused recommendations are outlined to guide policy and practice. Not applicable
Asylum seeker · Inclusion (mineral · Mental health · Psychosocial · Public health · Refugee · Somali · Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees · Migration, Health and Trauma · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
The prevalence of mental illness in refugees and asylum seekers
Narrative Reviews
Prevalence of mental disorders in young refugees and asylum seekers in European Countries
The Social Determinants of Refugee Mental Health in the Post-Migration Context
A systematic review of socio-ecological factors contributing to risk and protection of the mental health of refugee children and adolescents
Patient-centred access to health care
Psychological well-being, mental distress, metabolic syndrome, and associated factors among people living in a refugee camp in Greece
Factors associated with mental health outcomes among peer refugee helpers in Greece
“The needs have clearly evolved as time has gone on.”
Mapping Psychosocial Challenges, Mental Health Difficulties, and MHPSS Services for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children in Greece
"I prefer dying fast than dying slowly", how institutional abuse worsens the mental health of stranded Syrian, Afghan and Congolese migrants on Lesbos island following the implementation of EU-Turkey deal
Post-traumatic stress disorder among Syrian refugees in Greece
A Qualitative Research Study Which Explores Humanitarian Stakeholders’ Views on Healthcare Access for Refugees in Greece
Access to Healthcare Services and Essential Medicines in GREEK Migrant Camps
Health-Related Quality of Life Among Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Northern Greece
Major depressive disorder prevalence and risk factors among Syrian asylum seekers in Greece
Mental health consequences of long-term stays in refugee camps
Health professionals’ experiences of and attitudes towards mental healthcare for migrants and refugees in Europe
Safety, Health and Trauma among Newly Arrived Refugees in Greece
The state of mental health in Greece
| Velocidad de citación | historical |
|---|---|
| Altamente citado | No |