183 Mental health of applicants for international protection – an expert consensus for national guidelines in Belgium

Abstract OP 17: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 1, B210 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30 Aims Applicants for international protection (asylum seekers – AIP) are exposed to numerous pre-, peri- and post-migration stress factors, hereby increasing their risk of developing (severe) mental health problems. To date, despite international recommendations, court actions and pressures of the civil society, the Belgian authorities have been remained passive. In this context, the mental health group (MHG) of the Belgian Superior Health Council (SHC) initiated an expert group to identify major gaps and provide recommendations for better mental health care for AIP, hoping to trigger more attention to the needs for this particularly vulnerable group. Methods An ad hoc thematic group was set up, with 18 experts from the fields of psychology, psychiatry, sociology, general medicine, public health and education sciences. An umbrella review was carried out to identify the barriers faced by AIP in accessing mental health care. Fourteen stakeholders were also interviewed (NGO, administrations, legal experts). Data were triangulated and discussed within the working group to consensually identify recommendations adapted to Belgium. Results In the absence of proper support organized by the Belgian authorities, existing vulnerabilities are maintained and even reinforced by the asylum procedures and the living conditions in Belgium. Among AIP, some more vulnerable groups emerged, especially unaccompanied minors. There is an overall shortage of qualified staff to take care of mental health issues of AIP, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorders. Conclusion Recommendations were issued, based on the results, for European and Belgian authorities but also for professionals and academics. Above all, before improving the provision of mental health care, it is urgent to improve the protection procedure and to provide AIP with accommodation that respects human dignity as soon as they arrive in Belgium. References. Superior Health Council. Factors in the psychological fragility and recovery of applicants for international protection. Brussels: SHC; 2024. Report 9744.