What affects the mental health of people seeking asylum in the UK? A narrative analysis of migration stories

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to understand how people seeking asylum make sense of their migration experience and the factors impacting the mental health of people seeking asylum in the UK how this influences mental health and well-being. We analyse three extended unstructured interviews with people who have sought asylum in the UK that were generated through interviews with a theatre company. This is augmented by two interviews with theatre company staff about the interview process. Transcripts are analysed using simultaneous thematic and narrative analysis.

Seven themes are identified; the overarching theme is one of dehumanisation due to the asylum process and public discourse. Narrative analysis demonstrates how experiences of torture and lack of control in countries of origin continued in UK. Moreover, the asylum process inhibited people reconciling their pre-migration trauma and stopped interviewees planning for their future, leading to a loss of identity. Interviewers worked with interviewees to create a narrative to prompt the audience into action on migrants’ rights. Results suggest the importance of creating a secure, trusting space where people can purposively construct their narratives of migration to reframe traumatic experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• migration
• asylum seeker
• refugee
• mental health
• well-being
• narrative analysis

Acknowledgements

I have previously worked on charitable projects with Ice and Fire, the theatre company who helped obtain the interview transcripts for this study. King’s College London provided financial compensation for the two interviewed Ice and Fire staff as a thanks for their time.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sohail Jannesari

Sohail Jannesari is undertaking a PhD on the impact of the UK asylum process on mental health, with a particular focus on Iranian and Afghan asylum seekers. Dr Vanessa Lawrence is a Lecturer in Qualitative Social Sciences and is interested in the development and application of qualitative research methodologies in health services research. Emma is a research associate and honorary lecturer in the Section of Women’s Mental Health and works for the Mental Health Policy Research Unit.