Worldwide, the proportion of citizens with an ethnic minority background is rising. Besides the demographical implications, the psychosocial aspects of migration gain more and more attention. Migration and its innate stressors may influence the mental health of the migrant. This manuscript details the increasing occurrence of psychiatric disorders in migrants. Next several hypotheses to explain this phenomenon are formulated. Finally the migrants' help seeking attitude and pathways of care are discussed. International research discloses an increased risk for psychiatric morbidity in migrants. An accrual of psychotic disorders, especially in the second-generation migrant, is repeatedly reported. Research data on depression and anxiety disorders are less consistent. Asylum seekers and refugees display an increased risk for a posttraumatic stress disorder as well. Several socio-environmental factors play a key role in the development of these psychiatric disorders. Still migrants and their family remain less numerous in mental health care services; this may be explained by self-regulating mechanisms, as well as by problems of (in)accessibility of the care. Health care workers should be aware of the enhanced risk for psychiatric morbidity in migrants. An accessible and first-line approach initiated by the general practitioner and a multidisciplinary team of associated health care workers should be of much significance for an efficient treatment of these mental health problems of migrants.

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