KMHA Concerned For Mental Health Of Ukrainians Forced To Move From Killarney

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John Drummey, General Manager, Kerry Mental Health Association.

THE Kerry Mental Health Association (KMHA) has expressed concern for the mental wellbeing of 135 Ukrainians who are being moved to Co. Mayo after making new homes and friendships in Killarney.

The Ukrainian refugees are being moved from the Hotel Killarney in the town tomorrow to make space for 200 male asylum seekers.

Many of the Ukrainian women have found employment in Killarney and the surrounding areas while their children and grandchildren had started to form new friendships since they arrived in March.

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“The last thing that Ukrainian women and children who were forced to flee their war-torn country is to relive the trauma of a sudden upheaval from their adopted homes in Killarney,” reads a statement from General Manager, Kerry Mental Health Association KMHA, John Drummey.

“Kerry Mental Health Association understands the need to accommodate to asylum seekers from other troubled parts of the world, but surely the Government could have been more compassionate in their approach to the Ukrainian families.

To give two days’ notice to families to move to another part of an unfamiliar country is almost inhumane and Kerry Mental Health Association says the Government needs to reverse the decision in the interest of preserving their mental health,” he concludes.