AS a psychiatric nurse working with asylum seekers, Annie Llewellyn Davies is frequently confronted by horrendous stories of man's inhumanity to man.

By the time she meets the people whose mental health she must assess, many have suffered horrendous violence, persecution, separation from their families, often a combination of these things.

But what Newport Local Health Board citation describes as her "personal drive, leadership, and commitment" is helping transform asylum seekers' lives.

Her work has also earned her an all-Wales Mental Health Award, though she insists the fulfilment of helping vulnerable, isolated people is reward enough.

"Most people I see have been traumatised in the truest sense of the word," said Ms Llewellyn Davies.

"Many have experienced torture, women have been the victims of multiple rape. They have been literally forced to flee for their, and often their children's, lives.' "The seeking of asylum is also an horrendous process, facing an uncertain future with the fear of possibly having to go back to the place they risked everything to escape from."

Ms Llewellyn Davies leads Newport's mental health assessment and screening service for asylum seekers. Every newly dispersed asylum seeker receives a comprehensive mental health assessment and physical screening.

There are around 550 known asylum seekers in Newport, from 40 countries and with more than 40 languages, and an unknown number of failed and destitute asylum seekers.

SEVERE depression and post traumatic stress disorder, often linked, are among the conditions suffered by asylum seekers.

"Many people do not tell their stories when we first meet. But when they do, I often think I've heard the worst of what can happen to people. Then the next day I hear something else," said Ms Llewellyn Davies.

"But I have also cried with laughter with them. The human spirit is amazing.

"I feel privileged to work with these people, but it can be very frustrating, because I can have no impact on asylum applications. You have to be very honest with people.

"I work closely with the Welsh Refugee Council in Newport, who do a brilliant job, and with other agencies. It's a holistic process, dealing with the whole person, the whole family."