Mental health crisis intervention for asylum seekers in the emergency department

Summary 

Emergency nurses worldwide have seen and will continue to see asylum seekers in mental distress in their professional work. This paper is intended to support nurses in their practice should they encounter an adult asylum seeker needing assistance in the emergency department. Beginning with the exemplar of a 31-year-old asylum seeker found wandering the street in the early morning hours, a preliminary interview with the emergency department nurse reveals an emerging picture of depression, hopelessness, and self-mutilation. Practical strategies are highlighted to help emergency nurses assess, care, and comfort asylum seekers in this and similar predicaments by working closely with community-based services and an accredited interpreter to prevent isolating the asylum seeker from appropriate services. To help strengthen continuity and integration of mental health supports for refugees and asylum seekers, care must be actioned in a culturally appropriate and sensitive fashion.

Keywords: Asylum seekers, Emergency nursing, Refugees, Self harm, Suicide risk