In der Schweiz lebende Minder­jährige mit Fluchterfahrungen: «Wer versteht meine Innenwelt?»

The number of accompanied and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in Switzerland has increased in recent years. Numerous studies, mostly from abroad, show that children and adolescents with refugee experiences are at high risk of mental illness. Events in their country of origin, the escape itself and the adjustment to the country of arrival can be associated with traumatic experiences and impede the mobilisation of resources. This ­article focuses on the housing of children and adolescents who have ­experienced displacement in the country of arrival and shows, using various examples and with regard to current international research, that the housing of children, adolescents and their families often does not take place in a way that is appropriate to their needs and age. Some stress ­factors in the country of arrival can represent a high psychosocial burden and a challenge for integration. Participation in social life is hindered for new arrivals in many regards. Accompanied and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers are evidently equally affected by stress and risk factors. Resources can be activated through suitable support measures and targeted integration measures.