Istanbul Gelisim University - Immigrant children will not forget what they’ve gone through for a lifetime

Immigrant children will not forget what they’ve gone through for a lifetime

Noting that the events during the migration will increase the mental burden on children, Psychiatrist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevcan Karakoç Demirkaya said: “Even if children survive in the migration route, they will not forget what they’ve gone through for a lifetime. Suffering from both homesickness and the loss of parents and other loved ones is especially pathological.”

Greek soldiers intervened with gas bombs to immigrants waiting around Pazarkule Border Gate. Particularly women and children affected by the brawl and gas experienced hard times. From time to time, Greek soldiers tried to disperse people including women and children, who were waiting in front of the Pazarkule Border Gate and the wire mesh around it by throwing tear gas bombs. Psychiatrist from Istanbul Gelisim University Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevcan Karakoç Demirkaya talking on the effects of migration on children, said: “Even if children survive the migration route, they will carry the feelings of “being left behind” and “being a migrant” for a lifetime. Mourning from the homeland is especially pathological when the loss of parents and other loved ones is added. This, in turn, makes it difficult to adapt to the newly established order and the migrated area.”

“CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED MOSTLY”

Demirkaya mentioning that children are especially risky groups, said: “Children who have to migrate together with their families or alone are the most affected group both because they are moved against their will, so they are not effective in the decision of immigration, and because they are in the age of development and have not yet developed their identity structures.”

Psychiatrist Demirkaya said:

“In many studies, problems in friendship relationships, hyperactivity and behavioral problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, adjustment problems, low life satisfaction and academic failure, substance abuse, tendency to crime and violence, inappropriate sexual behaviors and difficulties in business life, bullying or being bullied has been reported. The child of the migrated family is mostly affected by the mental state of their family and their harmony. Parental loss or separation, the level of education of parents, economic and political factors associated with migration, and the child's age are decisive factors on the child.”

“HAVE DIFFICULTY TO FEEL SAFE”

Emphasizing that the development level of the child is also important, Demirkaya added: “It should not be thought that it babies wouldn’t understand. Especially preschool children, who have not completed the primary socialization process, but trust relationship has been completed yet and brain development is very flexible, have difficulties in creating a new identity and feeling safe after migration even if they are easily assimilated.”

Psychiatrist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevcan Karakoç Demirkaya, continued as follows: “In the studies conducted, it has been reported that school-age children and adolescents are not easily assimilated, but they want to return to the homeland and have problems especially in language learning and language development, so they are always “other” in the country they visit. Depending on the reason for the immigration, problems such as accusing the family, getting involved in crime and terrorist acts and feeling revenge are also common. While the pre-immigration process is not well managed (spiritual preparation), traumatic events during migration cause serious psychological problems. At least harmony and mental rehabilitation should be done properly after immigration.”