In this issue
This June, we celebrated the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNCHR) World Refugee Day. World Refugee Day is a time to recognize the estimated 43 million people who flee violence, natural disasters, civil unrest or persecution. Refugees may have unique mental health needs when they arrive in Canada: they may have lived through very traumatic experiences and they may be separated from family, friends, and other support networks. According to the UNHCR, refugees who experience a disability (including mental illnesses) are more vulnerable, less protected, and may be denied opportunities to raise their own concerns and participate in decision-making. To learn more about refugees, including supports for refugees who experience a disability, visit www.unhcr.org.
Understanding Health Literacy in Immigrants in Visions
In the Health Literacy issue of Visions magazine, Sangeeta Bhonsale describes health literacy among immigrant community members. You'll learn more about the challenges of understanding the Canadian health system, adjusting to new ways of navigating the system, and the importance of sensitivity and dignity. Sangeeta shares her own experiences of moving to Canada from India and the experiences of women she has worked with. For more, visit Visions Journal.
Refugee Mental Health Toolkit from CAMH
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario has created the Refugee Mental Health Toolkit, a collection of print and online resources for settlement counsellors, service providers, and other care-givers. You'll find research, information and tools to help you support the specific needs of refugees. Learn more about determinants of health, mental disorders that may be more prevalent in refugee communities, and treatment and health promotion strategies. You'll also find resources on compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma for front-line providers. For more, visit the CAMH Refugee Mental Health Project.
Multicultural Health Guides for BC Communities from AMSSA
AMSSA's Multicultural Health Guides outlines services and supports available in nine BC communities: Abbotsford, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Surrey, Terrace, Vernon and Victoria. You'll find services and supports for mental and physical health, settlement, cultural and religious groups, and other important networks. Each community guide lists service providers and resources available in English and other languages. To learn more or download your community's guide, visit AMSSA.
Healthy Living Toolkit for Families in other languages
Kelty Mental Health’s Healthy Living Toolkits for Families offer information, tips, activities and tools to support families of children and youth who experience a mental health problem. You’ll learn more about healthy eating, being active as a family, managing stress, and building a healthy sleep routine. You’ll also learn more about assessing your family’s current lifestyle, identifying goals together, setting realistic steps towards your goals, and celebrating your successes. These toolkits are available in English, French, Korean, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. To learn more or download the toolkit, visit Kelty Mental Health.
Podcasts from Transcultural Psychiatry
Listen to podcasts from the journal Transcultural Psychiatry. In each podcast, an author describes and discusses their work. You'll find discussions on online gaming and internet addiction, the Clinical Ethnographic Interview, social defeat and themes of delusion among people from multicultural communities who experience schizophrenia, and cultural competence within mental health institutions. For more, visit Transcultural Psychiatry.
WithinSight features BC resources about mental health, well-being, alcohol use and other drug use that are designed for multicultural and multilingual communities. Our goal is to bring these useful resources “within sight” of service providers and communities.
This newsletter contains information collected from a variety of sources, individuals and organizations that we consider reliable. However, the information and links provided do not necessarily represent the views of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.
