Psychotherapy Group Interventions for Government Assisted Refugees

Jasmine Li, BSW, MSW, RSWSocial Worker/ Therapist & Allied

Health Team Lead

Who gets mental illness?

Risk Factors

Pre-migration • Exposure to war• Incarceration• Kidnap & torture• Forced migration• Sexual / physical violence• Prolonged separation

from family & culture• Death of family/friends• Discrimination

Post-migration• Acculturation• Language barriers• Discrimination & racism• Changes in family /

community roles• Changes in economic

status• Inappropriate housing• Migrant worker issues—

lack of recognition of foreign qualifications

Major Challenges to Getting Help

• Stigma re: mental health• Language barriers• Distrust / fear / shame• “What happens at home stays at home”

• Not familiar with the health system / counseling services• Mental illness is not seen as a primary concern• Counseling not seen as helpful -- confidentiality

• Poverty - struggle to meet basic needs• Lacking of information / skills to access / negotiate the

systems

Psychotherapy GroupWhy it works?

• Safe environment to share / learn coping strategies with others and group facilitator.

• You are not alone • Reduce self-blame • Remove sense of isolation• Open door for mental health services

Lapathee (Karen for “tea”) and Family Support Group (LAFS)

LAFS Development

Evaluation(1) Session Debriefing : by staff / participants feedbacks (2) Program Evaluation: by participants

Group Implementation: 6 sessions, 5 families participated --9 adults and 10 children (12 years or older).

Outreach & Recruitment by Karen Speaking Peer Outreach Worker

Multiple Families Group: three folds ( family to family, parents to parents , children to chidlren) Eligibiltiy: Parents and children (Karen families who have children over 12 yrs old )

Need Re-assessmentFamily program coordinator Community meeting with Karens

Response to Karen’s needsFocus Group-GARs Mental Health

20 Karen people attendedSocial Worker

Heard the voices / concerns

How have we succeeded?

Peer outreach worker – Minimize language barriers – Insider / Expert / Advisor

Multiple families group approachCultural sensitivity – Knowledge / understanding of Karen cutures, e.g. family

orientated– Use games / activities / metaphors / to facilitate

interactions / illustrations

Participants CommentsExamples participants plan to do differently as a parent/child after

attending the group:

• Not using corporal punishment (“not to spank the child”)

• Changes in their attitude towards parenting (“try to have a better mind set”)

• Listening and communicating better (“parents really need to pay the attention to children….the way they speak to know what is really happening to the child.” “we need to listen, respect, and love” “…listen to my parents.”)

Want More Information? • Chick here for the full report:

http://www.settlement.org/downloads/atwork/Access_Alliance_LAFS_Final_Report.pdf

• Comments / Questions: jli@accessalliance.ca

THANK YOU!