CHILD refugees are at risk of suicide because of delays in resettling them after the demolition of the Calais “Jungle”, a charity warn.
Citizens UK said a pause in transfers over the last week meant many children hoping to join relatives in the UK were suffering a “significant deterioration” in their mental health.
Of those children the charity are supporting in France, one third have expressed suicidal thoughts and lack of care of their own life since the demolition. Ninety per cent have reported increased anxiety.
Dr Susannah Fairweather, a consultant psychiatrist, said: “The delay can cause significant deterioration in mental health, including the stark risk of suicide.
“In addition, young people who have lived in the unstructured camp for a prolonged period of time find it particularly difficult to adjust to life in more ordinary circumstances.”
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