> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://avid-detention.gitbook.io/avid-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://avid-detention.gitbook.io/avid-handbook/safeguards/harms-of-detention-what-safeguarding-concerns-do-visitors-come-across-in-detention/deteriorating-mental-health.md).

# Deteriorating mental health

It is well documented that immigration detention causes harm to people’s mental health, that the impact on mental health increases the longer someone is held, and that this impact lasts well beyond someone’s release from detention. The fact of being held in immigration causes mental distress and illness, increases the risk of self-harm and/ or suicide, and also can act to exacerbate existing mental health problems.

 A clear summary of the clinical research position that all detained people are at risk of harm caused by detention is contained in the [Royal College of Psychiatrists Position Statement](https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/better-mh-policy/position-statements/position-statement-ps02-21---detention-of-people-with-mental-disorders-in-immigration-removal-centres---2021.pdf):

 *“Detention centres are likely to precipitate a significant deterioration of mental health in most cases, greatly increasing suffering and the risk of suicide.”*

{% hint style="info" %}
**Further Reading**

There is considerable academic research on these issues, for example:

* [Bosworth (2016) The Impact of Immigration Detention on Mental Health: A literature review](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2732892)  
* [M. von Werthern et al. (2018) *The impact of immigration detention on mental health: a systematic review*](https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-018-1945-y) 
* [Verhülsdonk, I., Shahab, M., & Molendijk, M. (2021) *Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders Among Refugees and Migrants in Immigration Detention: Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.*](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-open/article/prevalence-of-psychiatric-disorders-among-refugees-and-migrants-in-immigration-detention-systematic-review-with-metaanalysis/20729EFFC3668FDF669E9939B96D3C2C)

{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://avid-detention.gitbook.io/avid-handbook/safeguards/harms-of-detention-what-safeguarding-concerns-do-visitors-come-across-in-detention/deteriorating-mental-health.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.