De som föll mellan stolarna : Unga vuxnas, tidigare ensamkommande barns, upplevelser av psykisk ohälsa och den nya gymnasielagens påverkan

Sammanfattning

Unaccompanied children are at greater risk of developing mental illness, compared with children who have migrated with guardians. Several of the unaccompanied children who came to Sweden in 2015 turned 18 before they received a decision in their cases. They therefore were considered adults and were at risk of deportation. Changes in the law by SFS 2018:755 and SFS 2018:756 was introduced to give the young adults another opportunity to stay. The main purpose of the present study was to shed light on young adult’s, previously unaccompanied children’s, experiences of mental health in general, and to discover how the law changes has affected the mental health specifically in the county of Västmanland. A sub purpose was to discover the need for support. The study had a qualitative approach and consisted of 10 interviews with young adults who came to Sweden as unaccompanied minors. A manifest content analysis resulted in four categories; life in limbo, high demands and no control, support and help, and strategies for coping with everyday life. The results indicate that the uncertainty has contributed to worsening mental health. Furthermore, the law changes and the circumstances, such as lack of housing and time pressure, seem to have contributed to even more stress and anxiety. Lack of support may have worsened the already vulnerable situation. The young adults do not request any particular support at present. However, it appears they are experiencing difficulties finding employment, which is one of the demands by the new law.