TY - JOUR AB - Purpose In recent years, the number of refugees and migrants entering Europe has increased dramatically. Such trauma may affect not only refugees themselves, but also care givers and rescue workers. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the intensity and psychological impact of the refugee crisis, with a view to suggesting ways of moving forward.Design/methodology/approach Based on recent literature, this paper briefly looks at the importance of attention to health and social issues, before discussing the psychological trauma of refugees and potential emotional trauma of those involved in rescue operations.Findings The provision of psychological support which is both compassionate and culturally competent should be viewed as essential. Furthermore, the development of resources and tools to assist with the current refugee crisis could enable care givers, rescue workers, and healthcare professionals to provide psychological support to migrants and refugees. Such resources could also encourage, and support, frontline responders in caring for their own personal psychological well-being.Originality/value The content of this paper could help to encourage further research in this field, including research into the emotional trauma of rescue workers. Furthermore, it is intended that this paper could contribute to an on-line knowledge base when considering the development of tools and resources to assist with the current refugee crisis. VL - 14 IS - 1 SN - 1747-9894 DO - 10.1108/IJMHSC-08-2016-0032 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-08-2016-0032 AU - Papadopoulos Irena AU - Shea Sue PY - 2018 Y1 - 2018/01/01 TI - European refugee crisis: psychological trauma of refugees and care givers T2 - International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care PB - Emerald Publishing Limited SP - 106 EP - 116 Y2 - 2024/05/10 ER -