Refugees often endure trauma long before they arrive in their new host countries, including fleeing violence, losing loved ones, and leaving behind everything familiar. These experiences can lead to significant mental health struggles, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
However, the journey to emotional recovery doesn’t end with resettlement; in fact, it often continues as refugees navigate new hurdles, such as adjusting to an unfamiliar culture, learning a new language, and confronting an uncertain future.
Today, on World Mental Health Day, Amaanah Refugee Services shines a spotlight on the critical need to address mental health in the refugee community.
Ahmad Alaswad, Amaanah’s Executive Director, highlights the unique and persistent mental health challenges refugees face:
“On World Mental Health Day, we recognize the immense mental health challenges refugees face. Beyond the trauma of fleeing violence, they must cope with the stresses of adapting to a new country, learning a new language, and the anxiety of not knowing what comes next.”
The process of resettlement can be as mentally taxing as the escape from danger. The pressures of acclimating to a foreign environment, securing financial stability, and handling cultural and linguistic barriers can add layers of emotional stress to an already difficult situation. These challenges frequently compound the existing trauma refugees carry with them, making mental health care an essential service in the post-resettlement process.
Amaanah Refugee Services understands the deep importance of mental health in helping refugees rebuild their lives.
“At Amaanah, we stand by our refugee community, ensuring they have access to the support they need to rebuild their lives.” said Ahmad.
The organization has implemented programs aimed at providing a range of crucial support to help refugees manage the multifaceted challenges they face. Amaanah works to ensure that refugees not only receive counseling but also engage in community-building activities, educational opportunities, and financial stability programs, all of which play a role in their overall well-being.
A key aspect of Amaanah’s mental health support is fostering environments where refugees feel safe to express their emotions and process their experiences. Refugees often struggle with feelings of isolation, compounded by the stresses of integrating into an entirely new culture. Amaanah’s approach emphasizes mental health as part of a larger ecosystem of care, ensuring that mental, emotional, and practical needs are met in tandem.
Ahmad Alaswad believes that empowering refugees goes beyond simply addressing their immediate needs; it involves creating sustainable, long-term pathways for success.
“With the generous support of our donors, we offer them a chance at a better, more secure future,” he adds.
Donor contributions have been instrumental in allowing Amaanah to expand mental health services, ensuring that refugees have access to the care they need to overcome the psychological challenges they face during resettlement.
Mental health care is crucial not only for healing but also for helping refugees integrate into their new communities. A refugee who receives proper mental health support is better equipped to navigate daily life, maintain stable employment, and engage positively with their new community. At Amaanah, mental health support is not just about coping with trauma—it’s about building resilience, self-sufficiency, and long-term well-being.
As global conflicts continue to displace people, the need for mental health services among refugees will only grow. By providing essential mental health resources, Amaanah Refugee Services helps ensure that refugees can start anew with the support they need, offering hope for a brighter, more stable future.
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