The number of refugees and internally displaced persons in need of protection and assistance has increased from 30 million in 1990 to more than 43 million today. After Relocation Nowhere are the health care needs of refugees more pronounced than in the realm of mental health. Refugees are vulnerable to psychological distress due to uprooting and adjustment difficulties in the resettlement country, such as language, occupational problems, and cultural conflict. A major issue in treating the refugee population is the subject of torture.
Many refugees come from parts of the world where torture is still prevalent.
This population suffers from significant problems besides those that effect other refugees. Finally, the role of culture cannot be emphasized enough. It is incumbent on health care agencies that will be treating a refugee population to employ members of the refugee community and to look to them for guidance in their approach to the community. The use of traditional healers from the refugee's home culture can assist the refugee in getting access to health care in a culturally acceptable and meaningful way. In conjunction with the refugee community it is advisable to develop a cultural competence check list.