Andria Spyridou, a representative from UNICEF, analyzes the arduous journey that child migrants and refugees endure, which harbors a profound effect on their mental wellbeing. This group is especially susceptible due to increased chances of family separation, violence, and hazardous conditions encountered throughout their journeys. These perilous circumstances include gender-based violence, potential trafficking, exploitation, and serious health concerns that further compound their vulnerabilities.
What contributes to the increased vulnerability to mental health concerns in youth who have experienced displacement and migration? The unique circumstances associated with these events present a set of challenges that enhance their susceptibility to mental health problems. Key factors triggering such vulnerabilities encompass trauma, loss, and separation.
Potentially traumatic experiences before or during migration, such as violence, abuse, exploitation, loss of family members, or abrupt cultural changes, can cause post-traumatic stress and anxiety to manifest in these children. The instability and uncertainty in their environment, education, and legal status, coupled with unfamiliar routes and obstacles in their path, contribute to chronic stress and feelings of insecurity.
Language and cultural obstacles amplify the issues faced by these young migrants. Limitations in language capability and unfamiliar societal norms can lead to feelings of isolation, a loss of identity, and difficulties in forming connections. Adapting to an entirely foreign cultural landscape and language, as well as trying to fit into unfamiliar social norms can be enormously challenging and often results in feelings of further isolation and perceived discrimination.
Financial strains and societal pressure post significant challenges as well. The constant worry of financial stability and the responsibility of meeting familial needs can inflict severe harm on their self-esteem and motivation. Encountering discrimination and stigma in their host communities can invoke feelings of exclusion and amplify their existing anxiety or depression.
Migration influences the mental health of children and adolescents in both the short and long term. Immediate effects may include intense anxiety, sadness, sleeping difficulties, or disorientation as they try to acclimate to their new environment. Struggles in academic performance due to language barriers can lead to frustration, lowering their sense of self-worth.
For the long term, constant anxiety, depression, trust, and attachment issues can become a reoccurring struggle. The continuous presence of stress without any support increases their susceptibility to mental health disorders later in life, including substance abuse and suicide attempts.
In this context, maintaining family unity plays a huge role in securing the mental wellbeing of these young individuals. The preservation of a family unit provides emotional support, as the presence of close relatives can offer safety, belonging, and shared understanding of the challenges faced due to migration.
Stability and routine that comes with a united family can cultivate a sense of security, which is notably crucial for children. The positive impact of family members demonstrating resilience and coping strategies guides these young migrants to navigate new environments, contributing to their mental health.
Furthermore, holding on to cultural identity and traditions within the family circle is vital. In contrast, the separation of family members can escalate feelings of abandonment, anxiety, and emotional distress, leading to stronger feelings of isolation in these children.
There exist numerous obstacles in host countries that hinder access to vital mental health support. Language and cultural discrepancies can result in services being inaccessible due to a language barrier or cultural misunderstanding. Financial limitations often place mental health services out of reach for many migrant families as the cost may simply be too high, especially without the aid of insurance.
Other concerns include a lack of information about available services and difficulties in navigating the health system in the new environment. Legal status, alongside the fear of deportation, can prevent undocumented families from seeking mental health services. Cultural beliefs and stigma associated with mental illness may deter families from seeking out available support, while systemic issues like inadequate mental health infrastructure and workforce shortages add to the problem.
From the perspective of policy, UNICEF urges United Nations Member States in general to act towards ensuring the rights, safety, and wellbeing of migrant and refugee children involve a coordinated regional approach, child-friendly border services, access to legal identity, and status proliferation, along with promoting integration and participation.
Specific measures policymakers can implement to bridge these gaps include increasing usability by ensuring low-cost or free mental health services with interpreters for language inclusivity, and culturally sensitive care. Professional training for mental health service providers focusing on trauma-specific approaches for displaced youth should be given. Community outreach programs can further inform migrant families about available mental health resources, reducing unfamiliarity or mistrust.
Protecting undocumented families from exposure to immigration enforcement while accessing health services can ensure that fear does not discourage them. Policies should advocate for prioritizing family unity in the immigration process while also promoting culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate care. It is necessary to address systemic barriers such as discrimination and economic hardship, and fund public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors.