Abstract
Due to conditions of political instability in many countries, international or internal migration has been the door of escape for many populations. Globally, there were 40.3 million internally displaced persons and 22.5 million refugees in 2016 with numbers rising (UNHCR, 2017). The cases of the migrant populations of Venezuela and those displaced by the armed conflict in Colombia are two examples of these current realities. There are currently more than 1.5 million Venezuelans who are living abroad due to conditions of instability, and Colombia occupies first place in the world with 7.7 million displaced people within its borders. A research collaborative that stretches across three continents has been collecting data through focus groups, in-depth interviews, and surveys to improve our understanding of the impact of displacement, and how it may play out in the ability of people to successfully adapt and thrive in new contexts. The impact of forced migration on mental health and identity is substantial, and those who migrate often consider their mental health as a low priority in the face of survival needs. Recommendations for providers include the importance of understanding unique cultural identities, dissolution of family structures and the need for new social networks in order to support resilience. Training workshops are underway for providers and public health professionals across Colombia, and pre-post assessment of knowledge about mental health needs among diverse displaced populations and social indicators and dynamics of health produced 82% improvement in scores after attending a series of three small group training.
Presenters
Andres CubillosTracy Wharton
Bernardo Ramírez
Sonia Díaz
Axel Kroeger
Enrique Peñaloza
Professor, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Angélica María Vargas-Monroy
Yesika Fernández
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
IDENTITY, RESILIENCE, INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION, MENTAL HEALTH, FORCED MIGRATION
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