International Review of Psychiatry
Volume 29, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 327-333

Migration, violence, and the role of psychiatry in Italy (Article)

Ventriglio A.* , Bellomo A. , Vitrani G. , Stella E. , Gentile A. , Bhugra D.
  • a Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
  • b Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
  • c Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
  • d Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
  • e Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
  • f Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Immigration to Italy has been increasing exponentially in the last decades due to the international political changes and conflicts in the Middle East. The relationship between immigration and crimes is a debated issue, and violent radicalization of second or third generations of migrants is under increased scrutiny. Consequently, many politicians and political parties use nationalist and xenophobic language. Inevitably, this will have an impact on reactions of the larger population, as well as that of migrants. Psychiatry can have a major role in dealing with immigrants’ health needs, and also assessing risk and preventing violent behaviours due to mental disorders. It is possible to prevent some radicalization by employing strategies of education, leading to better integration of immigrants in the community (based on education, housing, work, etc.). However, often specialist services for migrants are lacking, and mental healthcare professionals may remain poorly trained. Italy is one of the major countries in Southern Europe with a large number of illegal and legal migrants; thereby, creating a major pressure on the resources. It is important to understand the links between globalization, migration, and violence in Italy, in order to prevent future radicalization. It is also useful for psychiatrists to act as advocates for migrants to help reduce xenophobia and discrimination supported by some national cultural and political movements. Ethno-psychiatric facilities should be promoted, as well as policies of support, integration, and prevention should be employed to promote legal migration through the European countries. © 2017 Institute of Psychiatry and Johns Hopkins University.

Author Keywords

Migration Psychiatry Italy violence Radicalization

Index Keywords

education immigrant Terrorism human community integration risk assessment trends violence Developed Countries priority journal mental health care Mental Disorders mental disease Humans undocumented immigrant Article manpower migration developed country politics Emigration and Immigration xenophobia Italy psychiatry social discrimination radicalization crime
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85028390730&doi=10.1080%2f09540261.2017.1343532&partnerID=40&md5=7a5ef12dba21bea09bb6309db0c34d24
DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2017.1343532
ISSN: 09540261
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English