Health and Wellbeing
Doras breaks barriers to healthcare for migrants and refugees. We address diverse needs, advocate for policy changes, and promote mental health awareness.
Doras works to overcome barriers to accessing healthcare services and to promote positive well-being among people from a migrant and refugee background. In our experience and as evidenced in numerous research studies, people from a migrant and refugee background can have different physical and mental health needs to the majority population as a result of their experiences in their country of origin, during migration, and following their arrival in Ireland.
This can make it challenging for health services to respond effectively. People seeking international protection in particular, are more likely to experience complex trauma and mental illness, which can be exasperated by the difficult living conditions and isolation people face while living in shared accommodation centres following their arrival in Ireland.
Additional barriers to accessing healthcare include:
- Language and cultural barriers
- Lack of information about existing services
- Being unfamiliar with the Irish health system
- Registering for a PPS number and medical card
Our work in the area of health and wellbeing is focused on informing people about their rights and entitlements to healthcare services, implementing initiatives that will promote positive wellbeing, and working with individuals and communities to build capacity to recognise and address mental health issues.
Through our Accommodation Support Project, Doras provides a series of supports for residents living in accommodation centres, including information and advice on their rights and entitlements as well as solutions-based mediation services for relevant conflicts and disputes.
We encourage residents and others to provide feedback or report on issues on accommodation centres currently in use for beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants.
The Limerick Bike Hub is a collaboration between Limerick City and County Council, Doras and PAUL Partnership to provide bicycles free of charge to beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine and international protection applicants.
Bicycles can be donated at the Bike Hub: Dublin Road, Limerick City, V94 A727 (corner of St. Patrick’s Road)
Drop-off times: Thursday: 5 pm to 6 pm | Saturday: 10 am to 12 noon
Doras runs free events around mental health and wellbeing, migrant women's health and other personal development events in collaboration with our partners across Ireland. You can register to attend any of our free events below.
