Trauma, Flight and Migration

This volume answers the question: how can psychoanalysts help our troubled world? Through the leadership of the IPA in the Humanitarian Field Committee, the reader is introduced to a global collection of creative, effective, psychoanalytic efforts to restore a sense of humanity, of physical, cultural, and psychic containment, to refugees and migrants. The task of truly hearing stories of exploitation, torture, and loss – of homeland, language, community, socioeconomic position, health, and safety – requires the ability to listen deeply while holding intense effect. Every person who wants to help fellow citizens of the world impacted by current crises of climate, social injustice, economic inequity, and political oppression will benefit from the psychological and systems insights offered by the psychoanalyst authors of Trauma, Flight and Migration.

Harriet Wolfe, MD, president, International Psychoanalytical Association

Studying traumatizing world events from a psychoanalytic angle is a difficult task. However, such an investigation not only offers new treatment options for those who suffered but also informs authorities on how to deal with societal, political, and economic approaches to such an event. This book brings together psychoanalysts around the world who address the largest refugee problems we are presently facing. We learn what clinical psychoanalysis can offer in improving the care of traumatized newcomers, including children. Another objective is the sharing psychoanalytically informed data with humanitarian organizations and the UN. The COVID-19 pandemic led to more preoccupation with physical borders between the nation states complicating illegal refugee issues. This book is most timely.

Vamık Volkan, MD, emeritus professor of psychiatry, University of Virginia; emeritus president, International Dialogue Initiative; author of Large-Group Psychology: Racism, Societal Divisions, Narcissistic Leaders and Who We Are Now

This book demonstrates how psychoanalytic knowledge can contribute in important ways to understand and deal with the challenges posed by the unprecedented number of migrants and refugees seeking asylum today because of war, civil unrest, and economic turmoil in their homeland countries. In a unique way, and with impressive examples from psychoanalysts’ worldwide work of engaging in societal issues, the book provides in-depth knowledge about relational problems, identity crises and unconscious conflicts resulting from severe trauma, violence, kidnaping, trafficking, and separation from families. Being a tribute to IPA’s increasing commitment to comprehend the political, social, and cultural context of mental health problems, this book, dealing with the deeply upsetting reality of flight, migration, and exile, is of interest for a wide audience.

Siri Erika Gullestad, professor emeritus, University of Oslo; training analyst and past president of the Norwegian Psychoanalytic Society; chair of IPA Research Committee