The project, which started in asylum centres in Götene in August 2016, was designed to help asylum seekers get the support they need and strengthen their coping mechanism.

In 2017, we offered psychosocial support at four asylum centres for adults and six homes for unaccompanied minors in Västra Götaland county. This support included mental health screenings, individual and group counselling and psychoeducation.

People with symptoms of severe mental health problems or physical illness were referred to primary or specialist care as appropriate. The team also provided general health information, group recreational activities and social activities to strengthen the asylum seekers’ social network.

Most of the people who benefited from these services were from countries affected by war, such as Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq.