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Exploring experiences and barriers in seeking mental health support among male asylum seekers in hotel accommodations
Supported by the Jane Hatfield Award
This research explores the barriers male asylum seekers in the UK face when accessing mental health support while living in temporary hotel accommodations.
Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combined surveys and key-informant interviews with voluntary sector representatives to examine systemic, structural, and cultural barriers to mental health services. The research identified four key barriers to help-seeking: poor living conditions, stigma, language barriers, and the lack of trauma-informed care. The voluntary sector plays a critical role in bridging these gaps through advocacy, culturally responsive interventions, and community-based mental health services. However, funding constraints, policy restrictions, and fragmented collaboration with statutory services continue to limit their capacity to provide long-term, sustainable support.
About the authors:
Ernest James Ulaya serves as the ambassador and advisor of Migrant’s Rights Network where he champions the Know Your Rights campaign. He has a background in research and policy development. As a leadership coach, he supports unaccompanied asylum seeking children and other minoritised communities during their integration process. He founded ‘The Voices of Hope’ podcast which is inspired by the journey of many migrants.
Mildred Malaika Nanteza works in the health care sector, specifically in mental health. She has a background in Pharmaceutical Medicine and has an ardent desire to see an environment where asylum seekers have access to adequate mental health services. Mildred has a background in research and leadership.
Ernest James and Mildred are recipients of The Jane Hatfield Award: a grant to support the next generation of researchers and activists. This Award is from IVAR and The Ubele Initiative CIC.
Download the full report below to discover more about the challenges highlighted in the research that are essential to ensuring that asylum seekers receive the mental health support they need, in a way that respects their dignity and well-being.
