Supporting the Mental Health of Immigrants in Canada
Immigrating to a new country can be a journey of hope, opportunities, and the dream of a better life; but it can also be accompanied by being overwhelmed, vulnerability to mental health challenges, and difficulty adapting.
“Refugees and migrants are particularly vulnerable, as they can be exposed to various stress factors and challenges, which affect their mental health and well-being both during their journeys and on arrival. The prevalence of common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tends to be higher among migrants and refugees than among host populations. Girls and women on the move have a higher risk of depression and anxiety.” World Health Organization
Some of the concerns and mental health issues experienced by new immigrants include:
- acculturation stress
- anxiety
- depression
- culture shock
- affordable housing
- financial stress
- feelings of loss
- language barrier
- difficulty finding employment
- social isolation
- discrimination
- societal challenge such as feeling not feeling a sense of belonging
The World Health Organization identified ‘5 Key Themes’ for improving immigrant’s access to mental health care:
- Community Support: Evidence shows that being part of a community with a shred background and trending school are associate with lower rates of mental disorders.
- Basic Needs and Security: For example, an insecure legal status can contribute to poor mental health.
- Stigma: Experiences of racism and discrimination are consistently associated with adverse mental health outcomes.
- Adversity and Trauma: For example, extended detention is associated with increased rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Access to Services: Refugees and migrants often do not prioritize their mental health because they are not aware of the services available free of charge or do not accept health care due to language barriers and concerns around confidentiality.
Sojourn Wellness understands these challenges and the related psychological factors , and we offer culturally sensitive, compassionate, and support to immigrants in their journey. We can help immigrants to tell their stories, address mental health concerns, facilitate integration into their new life, develop coping strategies, build resilience, identify their strengths, and foster overall well-being.