Eritrean Refugee Suicides:

Eritrean refugees, particularly unaccompanied young people, face a disproportionately high risk of suicide while seeking asylum in the UK, with at least 31 suicides among young asylum seekers recorded between 2015 and 2025. A Da’aro Youth Project report highlights that Eritrean nationals make up over half of these deaths, often driven by trauma, mental health failings, and long asylum processes. [1, 2]

Key Findings on Eritrean Refugee Suicides:

High Risk Among Young People: Between 2015 and 2025, a report found 54 deaths of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people, with 31 suicides, many of whom were Eritrean.
Trauma and Mental Health: Many of these young people are survivors of torture, have experienced traumatic journeys, and suffer from PTSD, which is often not properly treated.
UK Context: A group of four young Eritrean friends in the UK took their own lives between 2017 and 2019, sparking concerns about the care provided to young refugees.
Coroner Warning: A coroner warned local authorities regarding the increased risk of suicide among Eritrean young people who arrive as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Contributing Factors: The suicides have been linked to long, uncertain waiting times for asylum decisions, lack of support, and, in some cases, friends committing suicide, as documented in this BBC News article. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Broader Context:

Global Mental Health Struggles: Beyond the UK, Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, for example, experience high levels of distress and suicide attempts due to limited opportunities and long-term exile.
Cultural Factors: In some contexts, discussing mental health is considered a taboo, reducing the chances of seeking help, according to this Berkeley research article. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the UK, you can call 111 or visit a local emergency department. The Samaritans can be reached 24/7 by calling 116 123. [1]

Inquest Concludes Failure Nhs Trust Contributed To Death Of …15 Nov 2019 — The inquest into the death of 19 year old Osman Ahmednur concluded on 8 November 2019 with the coroner finding that a failure by C…INQUEST
Coroner highlights possible increased suicide risk amongst …19 Aug 2019 — The Senior Coroner for Inner North London, Ms Mary Hassell, has directed the London Borough of Camden to alert other local authori…Bhatt Murphy
Are asylum suicides an unfolding national tragedy? – BBC News11 Oct 2021 — Mr Hunter, who attended the inquest, said the teenager – like most of the deaths – was a young person who had arrived in the count…BBC