Abstract
If people who leave their environment to settle elsewhere - in their own country or by crossing borders, are on average in better health than those who stay in their country of origin or already live in the host country (this is the so-called "healthy migrant effect"), many aspects relating to living conditions before, during and after migration can have deleterious effects on mental health and the risk of addiction. In particular, the violence suffered at various stages of the migration process has major consequences, which explain the high risk of mental disorders among asylum seekers. But research shows that the way in which people who migrate are received in their country of arrival, in terms of administrative conditions, access to education, employment, housing and social support, is a determining factor in their long-term mental health. The implications of this research in terms of prevention and public policy readings will be discussed. The lecture will be followed by a seminar with a special focus on the situation of migrants living in very precarious conditions, in order to illustrate this issue and show ways of providing appropriate support and access to medical and psychosocial care.
