RUNNING HEAD: MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SOMALI DIASPORA COMMUNITY

Mental Health and The Somali Diaspora Community

Abdullahi Farah
York University

Farah

RUNNING HEAD: MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SOMALI DIASPORA COMMUNITY

Farah

Canada is home to one of the largest Somali populations outside of Somalia. According
to Statistics Canada (2013), there are 44,995 people claiming Somali descent (p.6). Many
Somalis made their way to Canada as asylum seekers, as a result of the civil war that plagued,
and still continues to plague the country. As a Canadian born Somali, I feel that little is known
about Somali people and their community, in a Canadian context. More importantly, on a
systematic level, many fail to recognize the health needs of the community, as very little research
has been allocated to their cause. To better understand this phenomenon, we shall observe the
social determinants of mental health, such as concerns, social isolation, gender restrictions, and
income. It is imperative to better conceptualize these ideas within this community, to better
manage and assist the Somali population. At the end of this paper, we shall propose a course of
action that can be adopted.
Many Somalis coming to Canada in the 1990s had experienced great levels of trauma
and distress, escaping the civil war in their homeland. Many lost loved ones, some severely
wounded, while others were displaced from their family members. Professor Kamaldeep Bhui
(2006), of the University of London, examined 237 Somali participants, and concluded, Of the
most endorsed traumatic events reported forced separation from family members and unnatural
death of family or friend occurred with the greatest frequency (2006, p.219). As Somalis faced
forced migration, many had still held onto the memories of their beloved homeland. They felt a
sense of lost hope, as their previous lives and dreams in their homeland were non-existent. As we
will discuss shortly, many of the Somali refugees coming to Canada in the 1990s were women,
and it could be said in this context that Many minority women experience paradoxical and
ambiguous feelings of belonging and not belonging to multiple national and ethnic communities
(Jo-Anne Lee and Alison Sum, n.d. ,p.155). As consequences of these considerable traumas, it

RUNNING HEAD: MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SOMALI DIASPORA COMMUNITY

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greatly hinders an individuals mental psyche. It was found that stressful life events in addition
to food insecurity increased susceptibility to mental disorders (Mental health and inequality,
.n.d, p. 157). In the Somali context, Professor Kamaldeep Bhui (2006) finds a correlation, as he
writes, prevalence of depression, anxiety and PTSD in 143 Somali refugees (P.235), were
found. As a result of the war, integrating and assimilating into mainstream Canadian culture was
a great barrier. Refugees, as they were, are frequently otherized within a society, often times
perpetuated by media stereotypes. They are often times considered an enigma, and thought of as
unfair beneficiary of societies perks. As Robert Danso (1999) writes, In most receiving
countries, refugees are seen as unwelcome others who will compete for scarce jobs and
housing (P.28). As these feelings are manifested, it further intensifies the social isolation felt by
Somalis, For many immigrants, social exclusion, which produces multiple disadvantages and
hinders social integration and mental wellbeing, is a pervasive experience (Galabuzi, 2004, p.8).
Focusing closely now on the Somali- mothers experience; we examine the existing
gender restrictions presented within a family structure, and the lack of support present.
They held the responsibilities, and the added stress, of holding the family together in a foreign
land. The over burden placed on Somali womens responsibility to her family, is an indicator of
the patriarchal society present. The traditional Somali family; consists of a breadwinner father
and a stay-at-home mother. Holding true to these traditions/norms, many who transgress these
bounds were in danger of being stigmatized. When addressing these issues, behavioural health
models that suggest Individuals simply need to make 'good choices' to achieve health and
well-being, fail to consider how societal norms and expectations mediate paths that are
available to different individual (Dennis Raphael, 2008, P.12). In present day, the notion of a
male breadwinner is no longer existent, as Fernando Mata finds in his report, lone-parent status

RUNNING HEAD: MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SOMALI DIASPORA COMMUNITY

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among ethnic groups in Canada; lone parenthood was prevalent among individuals reporting
Somali (ethnicity) 38% (p.26). This could be attributed to many things; among
them, resettlement issues, loss of spouse life, or high divorce rate. What behaviourists fail to
realize is, with a lack of support coming from family members, it makes living in Canada an
uphill battle for Somali mothers. Hodan (2007) Mohamed writes; With family, extended kin
and friendly neighbours around (in Somalia), the women had access to extensive support a
support which has either been lost or dramatically decreased with their settlement in
Canada (page 39). Moreover, as a woman trying to go into the workforce; are more likely to be
employed in lower paying occupations and experience discrimination in the workplace. (Social
struggle, .n.d. , p.63 ). This unfortunate circumstance of raising children alone, is associated
with, Financial insecurity, related to lower income, and can promote feelings of hopelessness
and shame, which increases stress (mental health and inequality, .n.d. , p.157).
According to statistics Canada (2009), The unemployment rate for Somali-Canadians is
above 20 per cent, the highest of any ethnic group. In relation to their social status, finding
employment was a great barrier for some in the Somali community for a long time. As many
Somalis were asylum seekers in the 1990s, their work permits restricted them to temporary
work. As a result of their permit restrictions and lack of experience; Many employers (were)
often unwilling to hire someone who has not worked previously for a Canadian employer
(Hodan, 2007, p. 47). As such, many were forced to work unstable, insecure jobs to support their
families. Oxman-Martinez & Hanley (2011) write; Migrants with precarious status are exposed
" to unhealthy, stressful living and working conditions. (p.224).Observing the case study held
by Hodan Mohammed (2007), she concludes; The greatest suffering, and consequently illhealth, was experienced by the participants in times of defeat - such as inability to secure

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employment (p. 87). On a more systemic level, the support simply is not there for people with
low income. Dennis Raphael (2008) writes, Canada does not do as well as many European
nations where distribution of resources is more equitable, low-income rates are lower, and where
health indicators are better ( p.11 ). This lack of equity and adequate distribution of resources is
an indicator of the situation faced by individuals at the bottom of the social class. Dennis
Raphael (2008) writes Income inequality reflects societies decisions to allocate resources
inequitably. This process results in poverty for many as a direct result of providing low wages
and limited benefits to those in need (. p.32).
In adopting a course of action, I, feel it is imperative to follow two models, Life course
approach, and intersectionality. Examining the life-course approach, it observes how social
determinants of health operate at every level of developmentearly childhood, childhood,
adolescence, and adulthoodto both immediately influence health as well as provide the basis
for health or illness during later stages of life(Dennis Raphael,20, p.14). I feel we need to take
into account an individuals upbringing and their past experiences, when considering ones
health. Simply put, an individualized approach will not work here; rather, economic, political,
and social impacts need also to be considered. Furthermore, we need to conceptualize the effects
of early childhood trauma, family loss, abuses etc. Once practitioners take these concerns into
account, a more holistic diagnosis will be produced. The second approach that needs to be
considered is intersectionality. Oxman-Martinez & Hanley(2011)consider the relationship
between the role ethnicity and gender play in political institutes. They say, the structural basis of
social institutions, their bureaucratic hierarchies, and their practices, as well as the interpersonal
interactions among individuals that are rooted in or affected by the categories of race, gender,

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and class (p.227). We need to study the different forms and structures in which oppression,
and/or discrimination against immigrants and/or low income individuals are being done.