According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of May 2023, Malaysia hosted an urban refugee population of approximately 181,300, encompassing both registered refugees and asylum seekers. Often, due to the harsh conditions they face, refugees’ mental health comes under stress. Numerous studies have highlighted the psychosocial challenges refugees and asylum seekers face during their migration, leading to an elevated risk of mental health issues, such as psychosis, suicidal tendencies, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Particularly, refugee children are at a heightened risk, necessitating early intervention for their mental well-being.

It is within this context that a multistakeholder consultation was held in Kuala Lumpur in May 2023. Organised by Health Equity Initiatives (HEI), in collaboration with the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP) and the International Rescue Committee, and supported by ECHO, the event brought together refugee community members, leaders, NGOs, academics, and other stakeholders. This meeting aimed to deepen understanding, foster discussions, identify challenges, and explore solutions related to refugee mental health in Malaysia. Additionally, it sought to fortify networks and share best practices among stakeholders.

The consultation featured two panel discussions on healthcare access barriers and refugee child mental health. The second part of the consultation focused on breakout groups, discussing these topics alongside solutions for refugees with mental health challenges. These dialogues emphasised active refugee community participation, resource and capacity exploration, and potential outcomes of successful strategy implementation.

The full consultation report can be found here.