Introduction

“This webinar is an activity of the Working Group on Improving Mental Health Care for Migrants and Refugees”

Ethnic minority groups across the world face social and psychological challenges linked to their minority status, often involving racial discrimination. Racial discrimination is increasingly recognized as an important contributing factor to health disparities among non-dominant ethnic minorities. A growing body of literature has recognised these health disparities and has investigated the relationship between racial discrimination and poor health outcomes. Institutional racism goes along with policies and procedures which reduce the access to mental health care. Cultural racism, both at the societal and individual level, negatively affects economic status and health by creating a policy environment triggering negative stereotypes and discrimination that are pathogenic and fostering health damaging psychological responses. A large and growing body of evidence indicates that experiences of racial discrimination are an important type of stressor that can alter the health status and lead to behavioural patterns which increase health risks. The persistence of institutional and interpersonal discrimination is driven by racism. Studies have shown that perceived and experienced racial discrimination is a significant risk factor for mental health.

In this webinar the first speaker provides an overview of current research on racism and discrimination against migrants, refugees and forcibly displaced people. The second speaker focuses on the role of genetics in the concept of “race” and racism. The third speaker underlines the Impact of racism and discrimination on the mental health of migrants, refugees and forcibly displaced people, while the last speaker discusses how to deal with growing racism and discrimination – Is there a way out?