Immigration Trauma: What to Know and How to Heal

Every immigrant’s experience in moving to another country is unique, but countless immigrants face trauma at some point in their journeys. Sometimes, this trauma results from the events that prompt them to leave. Even when they have escaped acute danger, the memories remain, and they may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result.

Immigrants who choose to migrate simply to pursue better opportunities elsewhere can still struggle with trauma upon arrival. Saying goodbye to your loved ones, adjusting to a different culture, learning a new language, and navigating the bureaucratic system in your new country is undoubtedly challenging.

Immigration can help people create brighter futures for themselves and their families, but the process is often traumatic. Here are a few reasons why immigration can involve trauma, and small steps one can take to heal.

Past Trauma in Your Home Country

Immigrating is not easy, and most people do not want to leave the places where they grew up. Many immigrants only leave under duress. Wars, political violence, deep poverty, persecution, and other dangerous circumstances can push people to make the difficult decision to immigrate.

The trauma resulting from these situations does not disappear the moment someone crosses a border. They might grapple with trauma symptoms for years and fear the same circumstances arising again in their new country, even if they live somewhere that is safer and more economically prosperous. Culturally informed therapists can assist immigrants with PTSD from events back home.

Difficulty Accessing Services

Lots of immigrants work with government agencies, nonprofits, and religious organizations upon arriving in their new country. These institutions can help people find housing, jobs, translation and interpretation services, and more.

But connecting with these institutions can be complicated, especially for people who do not speak the local language. There may be long wait times for critical services, lean staffing, and shortages of translators for languages that are not widely spoken. In these situations, self-advocacy and leaning on community is key.

Social Isolation

Immigrants must leave behind their communities, their loved ones, their cultures, and everything else that’s familiar. An immigrant who arrives in their new country may be able to connect with their diaspora community, which can be comforting. However, some immigrants move to areas where very few other people from their communities have relocated. They may not know anyone who can relate to their experiences or speak their language.

Making an effort to meet people who share in your experiences, even if they're not from the same culture, can help. Furthermore, staying in touch with loved ones from back home can ease the frustrations that come with isolation.

Prejudice and Discrimination

Immigrants commonly face discrimination and prejudice in their new countries. This can encompass racism, religious persecution, xenophobia, or general anti-immigrant sentiments directed at new arrivals, no matter their background.

In some countries, prominent political parties advocate heavily against immigration, which only fuels discrimination toward immigrants who have already arrived. Learning which organizations in your area are fighting for immigrants' rights can be heartening.

Uncertainty About the Future

Migrating to a new country introduces lots of uncertainty. Immigrants may dream of going home and question whether or not it will ever be possible due to instability in their home countries. Some immigrants find that their academic and professional accomplishments mean little in their new countries, and they wonder if they’ll ever establish the same careers again. Creating reliable routines in your new country, and communicating regularly with your loved ones, can help you create a sense of emotional stability, even if the future is not set in stone.

–

If you’re living with immigration trauma, our culturally competent trauma therapists can help you throughout the healing process. We encourage you to contact our practice to book a free consultation.