Brexit-inspired discrimination is causing mental-health problems for Britain’s migrants
Migrants in the UK face an increase in discrimination and mental health issues because of Brexit, a study found.
In research by University College London, migrants reported a rise in symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder, which is characterised by a feeling of unease such as worry or fear, after the UK’s divisive decision to leave the European Union.
Those in areas with a higher percentage of Brexit supporters were more likely to suffer discrimination that, in turn, increased the chance of suffering from anxiety. The UK is set to leave the EU on October 31.
“Policymakers interested in protecting and improving the mental health of migrants need to be aware of how the pursuit of referenda aimed at reducing and controlling migration creates a social climate that can be detrimental to the mental health of migrants,” the report said.
Migrants were characterised as those living in the UK but born outside the country. People from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were excluded because they were consiered to have “privileged status” in the UK “due to shared language, culture and positive portrayal in the EU referendum”.
Being white and from an EU country was associated with lower levels of discrimination. Generally speaking, it was also found that referendums on the rights of minorities can be harmful to mental health.
The report said clinicians may face “higher levels of mental health problems in the United Kingdom’s migrant population and may benefit from an awareness of how aspects of the post-Brexit social climate can contribute to heightened anxiety and other forms of psychological distress”.
“Further, the present study adds to a small but growing international body of evidence indicating that the social climate emerging from voter referenda on the rights of minority groups can be damaging for the mental health of minority groups by increasing exposure to social stress in the form of discrimination.”
In 2016, pro-Brexit campaigners focused much of their attention on unrestricted migration from the EU. Politicians such as Nigel Farage, a key figure in the Leave campaign and current leader of the Brexit Party used terms such as “taking back control” on immigration controls that were decided in Brussels and left the UK at a “breaking point”.
He was accused of scaremongering and stoking tensions.
EU, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens wishing to stay in the UK after Brexit must apply for settled status to remain. Previously they could come and go without having to apply for residency.
European Council President Donald Tusk recommended that EU members accept a Brexit extension as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson considered renewing his push for a general election before Christmas.
Mr Tusk, who spoke to Mr Johnson by phone yesterday, said he wanted to prevent a potentially disruptive no-deal Brexit,
which many fear will plunge the UK into a recession.
On Tuesday, MPs voted in principle to support Mr Johnson’s withdrawal agreement from the EU but rejected his fast-tracked timetable to debate the bill, saying there was not enough time to scrutinise it. The development reduced the chances of Brexit taking place by an October 31 deadline, when the UK is currently set to leave the EU.
Mr Johnson said he would seek a general election if his timetable was rejected, but he requires support from two thirds of MPs to be able to do so. Leaders of the main opposition Labour Party said they will back an election when a Brexit extension is agreed.
Mr Johnson insists Brexit must take place by October 31, even without a divorce agreement, but was forced to ask Brussels for a delay because of legislation pushed through by MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit. Yesterday he reiterated his opposition to another delay.
“In a phone call with PM Boris Johnson I gave reasons why I’m recommending the EU 27 accept the UK request for an extension,” Mr Tusk tweeted yesterday. In an earlier message he said he would propose the Brexit delay by “a written procedure”, which means there is no need for member states to meet for a summit.
Irish leader Leo Varadkar said he would support the move by Mr Tusk.
“We need to know: What will be the reason for this?” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told news channel n-tv.
“If it will be about pushing back the date by two or three weeks to allow lawmakers in London to implement the ratification of the exit bill in a reasonable way, I think this will not be a problem,” he said.