Meeting of the CPG on Migration Date: Tuesday 30 May 2023 Location: Committee Room 2, with the option to join remotely via Microsoft Teams MSP attendance: • Bob Doris MSP • Paul Sweeney MSP Non-MSP attendance: • Poverty Alliance • David, Office of Bob Doris MSP • Erin, Office of Paul Sweeney MSP • Maryhill Integration Network • VOICES Network • Refugees for Justice • Friends of Scottish Settlers • Scottish Detainee Visitors • Mental Health Foundation • Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTIS) • Rosengren • Outside the Box • Change Mental Health • Lawon • Maria Jose Pavez, Grampian Regional Equality Council • Royal College of Psychiatrists • LGBT Health • Community Infosource • Rose • Sabah Aslam, British Red Cross Apologies: • Mercedes Villalba MSP • Professor Alison Phipps Topics discussed: • Actions from last meeting o Erin provided an update on letter sent from Convener and Vice-Convener to Scottish Government following last meeting and suggested dates for a CPG training session with Professor Alison Phipps. • Mental Health o Paul Pearson (Poverty Alliance) and Peer Researchers from Maryhill Integration Network Mohammed, Juliet, Ishmael and Sekou shared their research into the impact of the asylum system on mental health and outlined recommendations to Scottish Government and local authorities. o Presentation from Ghizala Avan and Mahdi Saki (Mental Health Foundation) on the work of MHF in increasing civic participation and mental health support for grassroots organisations. o Members discussed the importance of further research into mental health for people seeking asylum and additional support, and also discussed the impact of detention in particular on mental health.