Life in extreme conditions: refugees and mental health

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, CEBE, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Belgium and Muntpunt Library, invites you to a scientific discussion and debate on a very critical topic: “refugees and mental health”. How does life in extreme and traumatic conditions affect mental health? Are the medical systems of host countries prepared to handle the diagnosis and treatment of these mental health issues?

The event will start with the viewing of the documentary “Invierno en Europa” (Winter in Europe, trailer here) by Polo Menárguez, which shows the life of Afghan migrants in an old abandoned train station in Belgrade while they wait to realise their dream: to cross the border with Hungary and reach the European promised land. We will continue with a short scientific talk about the implications of forced migration on the mental health of refugees, given by Helena Manrique (expert psicologist on mental health and migration), followed by an open debate.

Debate panel participants: Helena Manrique (psicologist), Polo Menárguez (director of the documentary Winter in Europe), Abdul Saboor (photographer and refugee from Afghanistan), and Gonzalo Vargas Llosa (UN Refugee Agency Regional Representative for EU Affairs).

*The movie is in English and Arabic with English subtitles.

Registration is free but mandatory (limited number of places)!

Program:

18h00 Open Doors

18h15 Screening of "Invierno en Europa" ("Winter in Europe")

19h15 Scientific discussion and open debate: refugees and mental health

19h45 Debate

20h30 Closing