Chapter 2 - Epidemiological aspects of migration and mental illness

Summary

This chapter focuses on the epidemiological study of major psychiatric illnesses among migrant groups and their offspring. The main focus is on psychotic disorders, for which there is most evidence of elevated rates in immigrant groups and their offspring. However, the evidence with regard to other psychiatric outcomes, such as common mental disorders, suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is also considered. Potential policy recommendations are proposed to address the excess morbidity of mental illness in some immigrant and black and minority ethnic (BME) groups in the UK. Several hypotheses have been raised to explain elevated rates of psychotic disorders in immigrant groups and their offspring. The chapter reviews each hypothesis. Pathways to care for BME populations have been observed to differ from those of the white British group. The risk of suicide in BME groups appears to vary by sex and ethnicity.