Sara in the detention centre (KULEUVEN-03-EN)

Sara is a 40-year-old migrant person from Bangladesh, who is staying in an administrative detention centre for migrants pending her deportation. She is talking to an officer about her situation and is crying uncontrollably while expressing a profound sense of hopelessness. The officer tries to calm her down and to reassure her. Sara is very jittery and restless, and suddenly gets up and pulls at the door asking to get out of the room. In an attempt to appease her, the officer touches her shoulder and tries to explain to her that she cannot leave the detention centre. She starts screaming and becomes very emotional and agitated as well as shows difficulties to breathe.

The staff from the detetion centre realized that unpleasant emotions, thoughts, behaviours and bodily sensations could be the signs of a possible psychological trauma. The person’s migrant status and the prospect of the pending deportation could also factor in this vulnerability.

They acknowledged agitation, startled reactions, screaming, elevate respiration, as possible post-traumatic emotional reactions rather than rudeness or lack of consideration and gratitude for their efforts to help.

In an empathetic attitude, they expressed their support and understanding for the person’s sense of despair and distress caused also by her pending deportation and situation of detention.

They got Sara to sit down and take deep breaths and gave her a glass of water. They also asked her if she would like to talk to a counsellor and a person from the medical staff who could provide additional support to her.

They provided her with additional educational material related to psychological trauma and self-help techniques that could help her to overcome current problems.

Dr. Mina Rauschenbach, Associate Researcher, KU Leuven