Summary
Every year Canada welcomes approximately 300,000 immigrants and refugees onto its soil and into its arms (Jeudy, 2021). Immigrants and refugees relocate in search of a brighter future, better opportunities, and a safer environment to raise their families in. The move to Canada provides many advantages, but both migration and post-migration resettlement are stressful and arduous processes that can affect an individual’s mental health. This article will explore the most common stressors for new immigrants and their psychosocial impact. Each immigrant and refugee’s experience is defined by unique challenges depending on age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other personal factors. However, newcomers face some universal stressors, including issues with employment, communication, discrimination, housing, transportation, and access to services (Xue, 2007).
Common Stressors and their Causes
Even though there is an influx of skilled workers migrating to Canada, newcomers report high unemployment rates compared with their Canadian-born counterparts due to lack of professional contacts, experience working in Canada, and familiarity with the system (TRIEC, 2017). In addition, foreign academic credentials and training are often not accepted; thus, immigrants cannot find a job that suits their level of education and experience. Consequently, they must forgo their profession and settle for odd jobs to ensure their family’s survival (Sakamoto et al., 2010). Unemployment and underemployment can lead to feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness about the future and even anxiety and depression (Kirmayer et al., 2011). While securing a job in Canada is difficult, and the system does not always favor newcomers, it is very important to remain positive, patient, and persistent.
Communication barrier impacts on Well-being
Since communication is such a vital part of everyday life, the language barrier is a major obstacle for immigrants, and it can affect their education, professional life, and ability to socialize. This especially impacts refugees and senior immigrants who often have little to no knowledge of English or French. Many immigrants are also unfamiliar with the nonverbal communication and cultural norms practiced in Canada and can occasionally experience cultural shock once they migrate. The inability to communicate leads to feelings of shame, loneliness, and frustration and can also cause social anxiety and isolation (Kirmayer et al., 2011). The feelings of alienation and isolation are accentuated by most immigrants having had to leave their family, friends, and traditions behind. They are separated from everyone and everything that was once familiar to them, and they can have a more challenging time integrating into Canadian society. Telecommunication is a great way to keep in touch with loved ones. Since Canada is such a diverse country, interacting with people who share the same language, food, and traditions can positively impact the well-being of new immigrants. Support groups are another great way to meet people who are going through a similar process, and this can help immigrants provide support and possible solutions to each other.
Perhaps the most devastating and dangerous problem that immigrants and refugees encounter is prejudice and racism. New and old immigrants face this problem, their future generations, and perhaps anyone else who does not fit into a certain demographic. Discriminatory acts can range from racist verbal remarks to extreme acts of physical violence. In June 2021, 4 members of an immigrant family living in London, Ontario, were fatally run over by a 20-year-old man because he did not agree with their religious practices. The family was survived by a 9-year-old boy whose life will never be the same again, and the innocent soul will carry a lifetime of trauma, like a weeping wound on his mind (CBC, 2021).
Additionally, numerous young immigrants report bullying and discrimination in schools. No matter how big or small these acts of prejudice seem, these experiences have long-lasting psychological effects on the victims and their communities, including low self-esteem, eating disorders, anxiety, social phobia, depression, and PTSD. At the same time, therapy and support groups are essential for the recovery of the victims. The main way to address this problem is by raising awareness, diminishing prejudices, educating the ignorant, and coming together through inclusiveness as a country to prevent hate crimes and discrimination.
Cause and Effect-Psychosomatic Perspective
There are countless other challenges that immigrants face, including housing, transportation, and access to services. These facilities may be vastly different in Canada than the immigrant’s country of origin and can be a significant source of initial stress. Some of these problems can be resolved by joining support groups, learning more about the city, and contacting immigrant assistance organizations in the respective province.
Furthermore, immigrants and refugees with particular characteristics or life experiences are at a higher risk of certain mental health problems. Immigrant women are more likely to experience postpartum depression, other mood disorders, and anxiety. Refugees exposed to violence and torture are ten times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and have increased cases of somatic disorders, depression, and chronic pain (Kirmayer et al., 2011). Those from a lower socioeconomic status often experience the most difficulty adjusting to the move and have increased stress and anxiety. Certain studies show that newcomer youths may be at an increased risk for conduct disorder, substance use disorder, and depression (Kirmayer et al., 2011). Newcomers from warmer climates may also be unaware of seasonal affective disorder, which is defined by low mood during the fall and winter seasons that has been going on for two or more consecutive years (Medscape, 2019). Lastly, recent immigrants have had to deal with all the above during a global pandemic, which has resulted in an alarming rise in the mortality and unemployment rate. It has also caused mental health deterioration, resulting in even more isolation, fear, anxiety, and depression.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Another hurdle for immigrants and refugees is that mental health is commonly overlooked and under-reported in many communities due to the stigma of psychiatric illnesses. This leads to a decline in the psychological and emotional wellbeing of newcomers, especially over time, and it can also consequently affect their physical health. It can lead to fatigue, weight changes, sleep disturbances, lack of concentration, and other conditions. The best practice is to bring awareness about the possible signs and symptoms of declining mental health and to recognize when to seek help from a professional. Additionally, mental health professionals should be aware of all the possible factors impacting newcomers, including cultural influences, language barriers, and stressors related to migration and resettlement. It is recommended to involve a translator and/ or cultural broker while managing the patients (Kirmayer et al., 2011).
In conclusion, immigration is a stressful and life-changing journey that thousands of people go through each year. It can be an extensive and demanding experience filled with many unexpected roadblocks that can impact a newcomer’s mental and physical well-being. While Canada has many resources and opportunities for new immigrants and refugees, more accessible processes and better employment opportunities need to be. Moreover, as a country, we need to make a real change to fight against discrimination and racism. I hope this article serves as a reminder that even though our struggles are unique, we are not alone, and we are all going through this process together.
Further Readings
The following are some helpful websites and links for new immigrants and refugees
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants.html?_ga=1.2357424.1491237168.1489091185
- https://www.canadahelps.org/en/explore/charities/category/social-services/sub-category/new-to-canada/
- https://www.kidsnewtocanada.ca/beyond/resources
- https://multiculturalmentalhealth.ca/
Crisis Services Canada suicide prevention hotline:1.833.456.4566
