Marouane Smaili, Employment Consultant with Build ON
According to the Government of Canada, mental health represents both the states of your psychological and emotional well-being. Good mental health leads to a healthy life whereas poor mental health can lead to mental and physical illness. Unfortunately, the concepts of mental health and mental illness have been prey to negative stereotyping in the past. This issue is even worse in different cultures across the world. For this specific reason, newcomers are highly encouraged to learn more about mental health, mental illness, then become aware of the various resources available to them online and after they land in Canada.
Moving to a new country may present several challenges such as increased stress and solitude. Newcomers often worry about finding jobs and longer-term accommodation at the expense of their mental health. Therefore, it is very important to be mindful of the psychological burden resulting from one’s efforts to integrate into a new community. This helps individuals and families plan ahead, act effectively, cope with the stress, and seek professional help to mitigate the stress and anxiety stemming from their expectations and obligations.
Fortunately, newcomers can benefit from various resources online to learn more about mental health. For instance, the Government of Canada published a brief guide explaining the concept and providing guidance to individuals on how to improve their mental health. Check out the guide here. Alternatively, Settlement.org prepared concise online resources to clarify the concepts of mental health, mental illness, substance abuse, and other crucial concepts. Consult settlement.org for more information.
Additionally, there are several organizations across Canada that provide mental health support to newcomers. For Toronto residents, consult this list of resources from the Canadian Mental Health Association. For Ottawa residents, consult the clinical counselling service offered by Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization. To gain access to other resources and services across Canada, consult the following links:
Being mindful of one’s mental state and emotions is vital to leading a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, having both the willingness and courage to improve one’s mental health is important for a sustainable overall health.