3. Risk Factors
Pre-migration Post-migration
• Exposure to war • Acculturation
• Incarceration • Language barriers
• Kidnap & torture • Discrimination & racism
• Forced migration • Changes in family /
community roles
• Sexual / physical violence
• Changes in economic
• Prolonged separation status
from family & culture • Inappropriate housing
• Death of family/friends • Migrant worker issues—
• Discrimination lack of recognition of
foreign qualifications
4. 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
5. Psychotherapy Group
Why 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
7. LAFS Development
Response to Karen’s needs
Focus Group-GARs Mental Social Worker
20 Karen people attended
Health Heard the voices / concerns
Need Re-assessment
Family program coordinator Community meeting with Karens
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 )
Outreach & Recruitment by Karen Speaking Peer Outreach Worker
Group Implementation: 6 sessions, 5 families participated
--9 adults and 10 children (12 years or older).
Evaluation
(1) Session Debriefing : by staff / participants feedbacks (2) Program Evaluation: by participants
8. How have we succeeded?
Peer outreach worker
– Minimize language barriers
– Insider / Expert / Advisor
Multiple families group approach
Cultural sensitivity
– Knowledge / understanding of Karen cutures, e.g.
family orientated
– Use games / activities / metaphors / to facilitate
interactions / illustrations
9. Participants Comments
Examples 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.”)
10. Want More Information?
• Chick here for the full report:
http://www.settlement.org/downloads/atwork/Acc
ess_Alliance_LAFS_Final_Report.pdf
• Comments / Questions:
jli@accessalliance.ca
THANK YOU!
