Sport and the refugee crisis: Health improvements, social benefits and access to connections
In this short paper, I first discuss the definition of illness used in order to discuss mental health issues, which should be considered when understanding how sport-based programmes could support refugee populations. The definition of illness I use focuses on a holistic perspective, including the physical, emotional, social and cultural dimensions of the individual, and also taking into account lived experiences. There are many studies concerning the mental health of refugees as it is widely understood that in fleeing from war torn countries, conflict and economic deprivation there are undoubtedly effects on one’s psychological health.
It must be understood that often the mental health of refugees is secondary to other immediate health concerns, which should be addressed first and prioritised. When looking at how a sport-based programmes could target different refugee populations, I note that it is key to understand the underpinning of sports in a complex environment which must take into consideration other services that could be provided through the sport, for example therapy or counselling.
The term refugee is comprehensive as it is defined as “any person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of the country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his/her former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owning to such fear is unwilling to return to it.”
Recently the UNHCR released a report on the current situation of the ‘global refugee crisis’ and stated that, “wars, conflict and persecution have forced more people than at any other time since records began, to flee their homes and seek refuge and safety elsewhere. Globally one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum". I propose that a well-planned and developed sport-based programme can be fundamental to positive outcomes with refugee youth for various reasons which include: health benefits, social benefits, connections to larger networks and to coaches and adults. With the current situation in Europe, I find that such sport-based programmes could be key to the integration of thousands of refugees into new communities; however, acknowledging that these programmes must be culturally and community specific and aware of the various contexts at play.
[This article has been edited by the Operating Team]
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