Ways to get mental health support and available resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental well-being can be affected and needs to be monitored and looked after. Feeling anxious, sad, frustrated or suicidal can affect us in the short-term and long-term.

Knowing that you need help and learning where to get help is important for newcomers and immigrants. Traditional supports such as family, friends, religious/spiritual leaders in home countries may no longer be available having moved to a new country. In addition, barriers such as language, culture and preoccupation with immediate needs such as income, housing, jobs and schools could have come in the way of fostering new community connections, or finding out about resources available and seeking help.

Added to it may also be the hesitancy to talk to someone about your uncomfortable thoughts and feelings as it may not be a common thing to do in some cultures.

However, if you want to feel better and have made the decision to seek help, there are different supports available through the health care system and in the community. Most of the services are free of cost, they are available in different languages and are offered by trained professionals.