model for mental health work with refugees and individuals from comparable backgrounds. The project aims to do
three main things:
(i) To gather information about efforts to improve mental health services for refugees and about problems and
solutions identified in this context. Data collection covers all geographical regions and all levels of public
administration.
(ii) To develop a national model that contains guidelines regarding mental health services and other measures to
improve mental health in relation to refugees and individuals from comparable backgrounds.
(iii) To assist in efforts to implement the model nationally and at different levels of mental health work.
Italy: Identifying and responding to torture victims’ needs in reception centres
On 19 May 2017, the Italian National Commission for the Right of Asylum issued a circular providing for the
application of guidelines on the treatment and rehabilitation of torture victims, and guaranteeing operational
effectiveness with regard to the work of authorities determining asylum claims. The guidelines set out that the
staff operating in reception centres would be trained to deal with the specific needs of victims of torture. The
guidelines also set out the rehabilitation procedure to be applied to victims of torture according to three steps:
(i) Understand the trauma that the person has suffered and its consequences on her/his mental and physical
health;
(ii) Identify the appropriate therapy to deal with traumatic memories; and
(iii) Create and strengthen positive social relationships as additional support mechanisms.
REHABILITATION SERVICES
AND FUNDING MODELS
Rehabilitation service models vary from country to country,
depending on the political and social context, the particular
needs of torture victims, the existing public health
infrastructure and funding. There is no “one size fits all”
response to the question on how to provide rehabilitation
services. Good practice suggests that states adopt a longterm multi-disciplinary approach to providing rehabilitation
services and consider the following possibilities:
“
Urges States to ensure that appropriate
rehabilitation is promptly available to
all victims without discrimination of
any kind, provided either directly by
the public health system or through
the funding of private rehabilitation
facilities, including those administered
by civil society organizations…”
United Nations Human Rights Council
resolution 22/21 on Torture and other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment, dealing with the rehabilitation of
torture victims
(i) State-led services: direct provision of specialized rehabilitation services through national health and social
systems and budgets;
(ii)
Non-state led services: the state provides financial support to non-governmental rehabilitation services; or
(iii)
A hybrid model: integration of non-governmental specialized rehabilitation services into the national health
infrastructure.
TOOL: Providing Rehabilitation to Victims of Torture and Other Ill-treatment
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