Psychological Healthcare
Psychological healthcare, reported by respondents both in regards to
themselves and fellow detainees, was extremely poor across
detention facilities in Greece. The presence of psychologists was
limited, if at all, and similarly to doctors, they were reportedly
dismissive of detainees cases. Several respondents explained that
their psychological struggles were ignored, with some even reporting
verbal abuse by the authorities as a result of expressing their
difficulties. This is particularly concerning following our research
which indicated that a quarter of respondents expressed severe
psychological difficulties including depression and self-harm
practices, citing it as one of the main challenges. The combined lack
of stimulation, information, ability to exercise, access to
psychological support, poor treatment by authorities and lengthy
detention periods, generates a critical landscape for mental
wellbeing.
The ECtHR has consistently held that Article 3 ECHR imposes an
obligation on the state to protect both the mental wellbeing of
persons deprived of their liberty, as well as the physical health. In
addition to the Kudła v. Poland case, the Ananyev and others v.
Russia and S.D. v. Greece cases are further examples of reaffirmation
of this principle.[231] The experiences described by detainees in
Greece utterly disregard wellbeing and dignity, and demonstrate the
routine failure by the Greek authorities to improve the situation in
detention centres.
Furthermore, Article 2 ECHR - regarding the prevention of suicide may also be relevant when considering questions of mental health.
This is particularly important as respondents referenced incidents of
suicide in PRDCs and general threats of suicide amongst detainees,
indicating the lack of response by authorities or medical actors.
Historically, suicides have been reported across PRDCs in Greece,
[232] and despite the CPT’s recommendations, the situation has not
improved. In 2020, the CPT called upon the Greek authorities to
ensure that all migrants detained for more than 24 hours should be
interviewed and examined to identify any mental health problems.
[233] This should be included in a screening process to assess if
detention will have an impact on the individual's psychological
health. Furthermore, if an individual requires treatment upon
assessment, it should be provided in a timely manner.[234] The
ECtHR has applied principles of psychological treatment, including
for psychiatric disorders involving suicidal tendencies, for people
deprived of their liberty,[235] and the longer term implications of
detention on individuals should thus be considered and applied to
detainees in Greece.
There is a general doctor who
could give just very simple
medicine but if somebody has
psychological problems they
don’t believe them.
I was really depressed, because
the depression and suicide
thoughts were so hard that
sometimes I just put a knife to
my head and my friends would
have to help me.
Driss, Amygdaleza
We didn’t have access to any
health service. So when we said,
like "we want to see a doctor,
we are really sick", they said
"you can drink water, it's not any
problem". The situation were
really bad there, I had like
mental health problem and all
the time I tried to beat myself so,
but they just ignore.
Ghulam, Corinth
Next to us was another camp, it
was one Turkish or Kurdish guy,
he was arrested there for 19
months and they said to him
when you finish this last month,
19 months, you will be out. So,
he finished his last month and he
go to them and he said to them I
want the freedom as you told
me so they said to him no, there
is no freedom or something for
you right now, so he entered to
the bathroom and he killed
himself there, he hanged himself
there, so he died there.
Ayoub, Corinth
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