World Health Organization’s Post

Mental health should be prioritized just as much as physical health. Both are equally essential and deeply interconnected. #MentalHealthforAll

Though Refugees are exposed to various factors that affect their mental health and well-being before, during and after their migration journey, they often experience barriers in accessing mental health and psychosocial support in their country of arrival. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder tends to be high among refugee children. 🌍 Today is World Refugee Day - an opportunity for us to look at ways we can improve the lives of refugee families, children and young people. 📣 Refugees deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. Their MHPSS needs must be prioritised. Watch the video to find out how we can achieve this. #worldrefugeeday #mhpss

With #WorldMentalHealthDay this week, I'm reminded of the profound impact that mental health has on our lives and those around us. It serves as a timely reminder to check in on the well-being of our colleagues, friends, and family. At UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, we have more than 18,000 colleagues around the world who commit their lives to supporting and protecting people forced to flee. Many face challenging situations daily whether it's working in devastating emergencies, dangerous environments, enduring long hours, and/or being separated from their families. Simple questions like "How are you feeling today?" can go a long way in supporting one another. So how are you feeling? This year's theme, "Mental health is a universal human right," emphasizes the need to expand access to mental health and psychosocial support services for all, especially for refugees and other forcibly displaced people. 💙 #withrefugees #MentalHealthMatters

Refugee trauma unfolds across three distinct phases: pre-migration, peri-migration, and post-migration. In the pre-migration phase, individuals often experience trauma in their home countries due to conflict, persecution, or other adversities, leaving lasting psychological scars. The peri-migration phase encompasses the journey itself, marked by perilous escapes and uncertainties, further exacerbating trauma. During this phase, refugees face a multitude of stressors, including separation from loved ones, exposure to violence, and harsh living conditions. Post-migration trauma reflects the challenges of resettlement, where cultural dislocation, discrimination, and the struggle to rebuild one's life contribute to ongoing psychological distress. Importantly, the cumulative nature of refugee trauma underscores its complexity, dispelling the notion that it occurs as a singular event. Each phase leaves a distinct imprint on mental well-being, necessitating nuanced and comprehensive approaches to support the healing and resilience of displaced individuals. #refugeehealth #refugeecomplextrauma

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, let's remember the importance of mental health support as a universal human right and aligned with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Actor and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency supporter Theo James starts this video with a simple question, "How are you feeling today?" It's a reminder that there is no health without mental health.   Refugees and displaced individuals deserve access to this essential support. Let's take this conversation seriously and ensure that everyone, no matter their circumstances, can find the help they need. #Withrefugees #SDG3

Asylum seekers are five times more likely to have mental health problems and over 60% have serious mental distress. What can be done to help alleviate this human crisis? Researchers from Cambridge and King's College London brought together a host of experts including frontline workers and policymakers to work on solutions. To highlight the difficult and highly complex situation faced by refugees, the team commissioned two poignant and powerful films from Edith Champagne and Warda Aljawahiry – which also showed the ways we can help. Dr Adam P. Coutts from the Department of Psychiatry and Centre for Business Research at Cambridge, said: “In the media and political hubbub surrounding the crisis, the lives, personal stories and mental health and wellbeing of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are absent. We wanted to show the reality of the situation for these people and the challenges they face.” Watch them here 👇 https://bit.ly/3u92gwJ #CambridgeUniversity #Research #CambridgeResearch #HumanitarianAid #PublicPolicy #Politics #Wellbeing

Finished an insightful Refugee Week off with a Gala Dinner hosted Metro Assist The theme of the night was vibrant stories and cultural performances showcasing the resilience, strength and contribution of our refugee communities. It was wonderful to see so much positivity in the room. With all the positivity, we need to put all collective solutions into Action. Employment is the key to connecting communities, reducing mental health, domestic violence and many other issues. NOW is the time to have a conversation with The Dragonfly Network, understand how we can partner with your business and connect a vibrant group of professionals into your organisations - streamling recruitment and assisting with your skill gaps. #doingnothingbutgood #recruitment #changeyourlense #refugeeandmigrantrecruitment

We begin the Suicide prevention week. Theme:- Creating hope through action. I stand with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Dadaab Refugee camp and the patner agencies in mental health services including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in sharing this message today. You are not alone. Talking to someone can help someone with suicidal thoughts resolve or find avenues to seek more help. Please join us in sharing this message and let people know that " YOU ARE AVAILABLE TO LISTEN". #suicidepreventionmonth #suicidepreventionawareness #suicideawarenessmonth

As #political and #economic crises persist in regions like #Ukraine, #Yemen, and #Palestine and with the ongoing challenges of the #Covid19 pandemic, the mental struggles of displaced persons remain a pressing concern. That’s why I wanted to share with you my latest essay for my #HumanSecurity class. My essay focused on the critical issue of #mentalhealth in armed conflict, particularly among Syrian refugees. My essay explores the impact of trauma on the mental well-being of Syrian refugees, focusing on the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support in humanitarian responses. To do so, I conducted a #comparativestudy to analyze the accessibility of mental health resources for Syrian populations in two distinct settings: a European country, Germany, and a Middle Eastern country, Jordan. The recent news highlight the struggles of refugees worldwide. From exposure to violence, to limited access to essential resources in the host country, the insights from my research resonate deeply with what is currently happening in the world. My essay emphasizes the importance of prioritizing #mentalhealth in #humanitarian aid efforts and in #policyresponses. By addressing the long-term effects of trauma and advocating for accessible mental health care, we can work towards a safer and healthier future for all displaced populations. I would like to thank my Professor Nuno Pereira de Magalhães for giving me the opportunity to write on this very interesting subject, for his feedback throughout the process, and for awarding me the grade of 9/10 #HumanSecurity #MentalHealth

📖 Our latest research, done in partnership with York University, found that #refugees faced a number of #mentalhealth challenges for several years after their initial arrival in #Canada. These were often triggered by both their pre-arrival traumas and their post-arrival stresses. This first-of-its-kind report, Sustaining Welcome, interviewed over 200 Syrian refugees in #BritishColumbia each year from 2017-2020, allowing researchers to track changes in the well-being of refugees over time. For #MentalHealthDay2023, please read and share the report's findings, recommendations and infographics to highlight the need for greater mental health support services for refugees now and in the future. #mentalhealthsupport #immigration #newcomers #Refugeesupport #refugeeswelcome #syria