Analysis: Rights of the vulnerable must not and cannot be forgotten

PEOPLE seeking asylum have worse mental health than the overall Scottish population as a result of the traumatic experiences they have fled, social isolation, and not being allowed to work.

In our recent study, one in five women seeking asylum reported suicidal thoughts and more than half reported that their health was worse in the UK than it had been in their home country.

Scottish Refugee Council advises newly-arrived asylum seekers and will raise any serious physical or mental health issues directly with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and agencies such as the police, social services and health.

Referral protocols are in place, but it is essential that these are applied and appropriate action is taken.

Due weight must be given to expert medical reports, critical asylum interviews must be delayed until a person is able to fully engage with the process and ongoing training for asylum case owners on engaging with vulnerable people is vital.

Refused asylum seekers have the worst mental health of all.

Made destitute, unwilling or scared to return to their country of origin and with no access to cash support, they are highly vulnerable.

The strict criteria governing who can access the very minimal support that is available mean that UKBA is not as responsive as it should be to vulnerable people in the asylum process.

• John Wilkes is chief executive of the Scottish Refugee Council.