Germany’s immigration policy has taken centre stage in the country’s general election campaign following a deadly knife attack in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria. The incident, in which a two-year-old child and a man were killed, has reignited tensions surrounding refugees, particularly those with mental health issues. The suspect, identified as a refugee from Afghanistan, reportedly suffered from psychological distress, prompting heated discussions over asylum laws and social integration.
Mental Health at the Core of Refugee Struggles
As politicians push for stricter immigration measures, psychologists and social workers are warning against stigmatizing refugees based on isolated incidents. Gabriele Al-Barghouthi, director of the Mondial Bonn Psychosocial Centre, highlights the immense challenges refugees face, including trauma, uncertainty, and poor living conditions. “Many refugees experience violence before arriving here, but once they’re in shelters, they continue facing racism, exclusion, and long waits for asylum decisions,” she explains. Such conditions, she notes, could severely impact even mentally stable individuals.
According to Germany’s Federal Health Ministry, 30% of refugees suffer from mental health issues like depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. Yet, the system remains ill-equipped to address this crisis effectively. Social worker Majid Ibrahim remarks that most refugees with mental health problems pose no threat to others. “In my three years working here, we’ve only had one case of external violence, but suicidal ideation is an everyday topic,” he reveals.
CDU/CSU’s Asylum Motion Sparks Political Divide
The debate intensified after the conservative CDU/CSU coalition presented a five-point plan to tighten asylum rules in parliament. The motion received backing from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), reflecting growing pressure on Germany’s current refugee policy. Milena Peitzmann, a psychologist working with refugees, observes a noticeable change in her clients’ behaviour since the Aschaffenburg attack. “They fear stricter deportation laws and the possibility of a government that’s less welcoming to migrants,” she explains, noting how collective punishment creates a deep psychological burden for refugees.
Systemic Gaps in Mental Health Care
Germany’s 51 psychosocial centres for refugees helped approximately 26,000 people in 2022, representing only 3.1% of those in need. Experts argue that mental health issues among refugees often go undetected because initial screening forms in reception centres do not adequately assess mental health conditions. Gabriele Al-Barghouthi criticises the lack of follow-up care, noting that even when patients seek therapy, language barriers and limited resources often result in delays of more than a year.
Further complicating the issue, many therapists in private practice are reluctant to take on refugee patients due to bureaucratic challenges and inadequate financial support. Al-Barghouthi adds that the lack of emergency care frequently leads to hospital discharges after short stays, with patients receiving minimal treatment or instructions. This cycle exacerbates existing conditions, with suicidal thoughts becoming prevalent among patients, according to staff at the Bonn centre.
Stigma Fuels Social Tension
The ongoing debate is creating a ripple effect beyond political circles, with professionals noticing reduced public sympathy for those working in refugee care. Jenny Baron, a psychologist at the Federal Association of Psychosocial Centres for Refugees and Torture Victims (BAfF), warns that placing refugees with mental health issues under general suspicion could deepen societal divisions. “One-third of the German population will face mental illness at some point in their lives, and the vast majority do not become violent,” she points out.
Baron’s organisation has been forced to turn away many seeking help due to capacity issues. With resources dwindling, she fears that undiagnosed conditions will only worsen as refugees retreat into social isolation. She appeals to policymakers to strengthen psychological support systems rather than tighten immigration laws indiscriminately.
A Call for Balanced Policy Solutions
While discussions about national security are essential, experts urge politicians to address the root causes of mental health struggles among refugees. Calls for systematic health assessments upon arrival, enhanced mental health screening, and improved collaboration with therapists could provide long-term solutions. Without these measures, the cycle of exclusion and untreated trauma risks worsening societal tensions, ultimately affecting both refugees and the wider population.
