Issues for interpreters in mental health

Traumatiation and retraumatization
There is some evidence that interpreters are at risk of mental heath problems as a result of their work. This is particularly true in refugee and asylum applicant populations where the interpreter may well have had difficult traumatic memories of of their own experiences that can be reactivated by the clients storytelling. Not trained as counsellors themselves and not innoculated against the intensity of feeling that can be aroused in therapy interpreters are vulnerable to being negatively effected in their work and may require debriefing, training and support to manage their role.

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Papers

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