As a child growing up in Brooklyn, no place felt safer than my own home with my family.  No matter the situation, the streets could be filled with complete chaos and ruckus yet there was not a single place I would rather be than the comfort of my own home and I am grateful for this.  Every individual has a fundamental attachment to their home and homeland because home is our origin; home connotes warmth, comfort, and fondness. When we leave, it draws us back even when we cannot return. Although it is a physical place, it allows people to keep some of their strongest memories alive, which makes them happy and gives a sense of purpose to their existence.  Unfortunately, many people living in conflict zones go through daily tribulations to find a single ounce of refuge and comfort in their own homes.  I can’t help but only imagine the adversities of those that cannot even think of closing their eyes for a single second because of the ingrained fear that at any moment, along with their homes, they too can be blown into bits and pieces.  In total, “69% had witnessed shelling, 61% airstrikes, 58% improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, and 39% suicide bombings. More than two-thirds said that they or their family had been directly affected and nearly half said that their homes had been obliterated” (Karasapan 2).

As difficult as it is to accept, we know that in the 21^st century, there is a genocide taking place in Syria as we speak.  Innocent men, women, and children are being murdered every second in this frightening conflict.  Helpless women are being tormented with children wrapped around their arms.  Innocent children are weeping out of confusion, agony, and pain.  What answer do we have for the mother who is mourning the loss of her beloved baby?  What answers do we have for the father who is shaking his daughter’s dead corpse shouting for her to come back to life?  Innocent children are being stripped of their own innocence and are questioning/wondering what wrong they have done to deserve such cruel suffering.  I am ashamed that we as humans have failed the Syrian people. As an American, I am ashamed we have elected a president who will drop bombs and condemn a chemical attack against children to score his own political victory but does nothing to relieve the suffering of countless innocent refugees whom we have the power and the obligation to help.  As the war rages on inside Syria, it might feel impossible to stop this violence against basic human rights. Outside Syria, safe in our American homes, we’re violating the rights of Syrian children, too, when we slam our doors shut to refugees.

Syrians have been killed by the thousands, millions have been displaced, and their entire livelihoods have been destroyed by attackers.  The world is experiencing a global refugee crisis unprecedented since World War II.  According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), there are close to 14 million refugees worldwide.  Over many years, people who have fled war and persecution have enriched their new communities and changed their new homes for the better.  Syrian refugees, who are in dire need of normalcy and safety, solicit asylum from whichever country they can reach. Asylum is an essential human right and must be provided when someone seeking asylum in a foreign country qualifies for this status under International Law.  According to the UN Declaration, everyone has the right to life and liberty.  Everyone has the right to freedom from fear.  Everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution.  These human rights don’t change based on race, belief, gender, or nationality.  An individual’s human right shall be protected, thus, the United States must be firm in its commitment to remain a sanctuary for refugees fleeing political and religious maltreatment from all across the world.

Some countries like Turkey and Greece, are overwhelmed with Syrians, particularly children, that remain in crisis even though they have been rescued from the immediate danger of war and drowning. Unfortunately, their visible needs and trauma are recognized but not the trauma that is less visible, and perhaps continuing to grow worse.  Fortunately, Canada and Germany recognize that rescue is only the first step. After the kinds of trauma these children have endured, just dropping them into a completely alien country and expecting them to be ok would also be turning your back on them, so these two countries, Canada and Germany, recognize that human need is more than skin deep, offering treatment for their psychological wounds.

Moreover, once the critical needs of the refugees have been met, the responsibility to help their transition is a host country.  Relocating refugees is the first step in ensuring and promoting the wellbeing of suffering populations.  As mental health issues often linger long after refugee resettlement.  Recognizing the significance of supporting the mental health needs of many of the refugees is imperative.  The more common health diagnoses associated with refugee populations include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, adjustment disorder, schizophrenia, and somatization.  “A total of 3 million Syrian citizens were reported as requiring psycho-social support or treatment for mental disorders in 2013 and it was estimated that this number will rise to approximately 1.9 million in 2014” (Lama 1). Therefore, it is necessary to provide for psychiatric evaluations and treatment in the Syrian refugee population, since they are at greater risk.

The psychological and social pressures often experienced by refugees during the migration can double the occurrence of severe disorders including psychosis, severe depression, and anxiety.   “Number of admissions, psychiatric disorders, and demographic and clinical data relative to patients were compared between those admitted before and after the crisis. 44 patients were admitted before the crisis and 106 after it” (Lama 1).  The distribution of diagnosis varied before the migration from the crisis of the war and after the migration. After the crisis, the majority of patients were admitted for schizophrenia (37.7%). Also, the prevalence of “suicidal ideation was higher after the crisis” (Lama 1). Thus, the impact of the Syrian crisis affected the psychological state of the Syrian refugees.

The relative amount of informative studies on the amount of mentally ill Syrian patients before and after the attacks on Syria show a significant increase.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the escalating violence in Syria is affecting more than a third of the population’s families. A total of 3 million Syrian citizens were reported as requiring psycho-social support or treatment for mental disorders A total of 3 million Syrian citizens were reported as requiring psycho-social support or treatment for mental disorders in 2013 and it was estimated that this number will rise to approximately 1.9 million in 2014 (Lama 1).

These reports do not mean that these refugees are psychologically weak.  However, it is evidence of the persistence of unusually difficult experiences.  The past comes back during the present and it is filled with hardship. Meanwhile, the future is unknown for these refugees.

There are many consequences of failing to provide sufficient psychological support to those who are in need of it.  There is a risk of long-term mental health conditions developing, such as chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and risk of suicide.  Leaving these serious illnesses untouched can be detrimental to the wellbeing of the individual.  Despite this, mental health support and psychosocial wellbeing are often overlooked.

The Sarraf family, from Syria, are newly arrived refugees to Canada.  The family is part of the humanitarian resettlement program that helps them settle in and become comfortable in a new environment.  “Reassurance and advocacy are key clinical elements of the recovery process for refugees experiencing mental health issues” (Pottie 2).  With emotional and social support, it can help reduce the severity of symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and ease the recovery process.

Mental trauma affects a great number of Syrians.  “A 2015 study by the German Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists estimated that half the number of half the Syrian refugees in Germany had mental issues, with 70% witnessing violence and 50% having been victims of violence” (Karasapan 1).  Thus, many victims are exposed to psychological difficulties, needing psychotherapy services.  “The findings underlined the very limited access to mental health services while noting that 54% of the displaced had severe emotional disorders and 26.6% of children faced intellectual and developmental challenges” (Karasapan 1).

“The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) notes that “the most prevalent and most significant clinical problems among Syrians are emotional disorders, such as depression, prolonged grief disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and various forms of anxiety disorders.” Lack of appropriate treatment and continuing high levels of stress worsen their situation. Medical care for those with mental disorders remains out of reach for most” (Karasapan 1).

Moreover, many of the Syrian refugees endured high levels of distress since the conflict that aroused in their country.  However, only a few have been clinically evaluated using reliable diagnostic tools for the clinical assessment of resulting mental disorders. “Evidence of impairment of social functioning and/or a high level or long duration of suffering is essential for the diagnosis of common mental health disorders, such as PTSD or depression” (Pottie 2).  Furthermore, a study approved by the Lebanese University Committee and by the Ethics Review Board at Amel Association consisted of methods like measures and statistical analyses of the prevalence of depression in Syrian Refugees and the influence of religiosity.  The purpose of the study was to compare the pre and post-war prevalence of major depressive disorder, to recognize possible socio-demographic links with depression, and to examine the effect that religiosity could have on the development of depression.

“The prevalence of current depression was 43.9% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 38.5–49.4%) with no difference across all socio-demographic factors, including gender. The overall mean for religiosity for the current sample was moderate (mean = 9.76; standard deviation SD = 2.34). No substantial correlation was found with religiosity” (Naja 1).

As religion is a form of beliefs and practices, it provides a set of values and strict rules.  “Religion has always been a topic of interest for the psychiatric community. From hostility and rejection, the attitude has shifted towards recognition of the major role played by religious attitude on the psyche” (Naja 2).

Thus, psychiatrist predicted that religiosity might have a shielding effect against depression, “In our study population, since it was found to significantly lower the odds of being depressed in older Palestinian refugees living in the Burj Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut who were regularly attending religious activities” (Naja 2).  As a result, there was no significant correlation between the level of religious beliefs and the progress of depression.

Furthermore, there are many refugees and asylum seekers displaced every day by war, conflict, and harassment.  Many of the displacements have adverse consequences such as mental health problems like depression and anxiety.  “They found a strong relationship between immigration status (i.e., legal authorization to remain in the United States) and an improvement in mental health problems (Utrzan 6).  As many asylum seekers began to solicit psychotherapy in their new, safe home they started to feel more comfortable and at ease.  “Ambiguous loss theory provides asylum seekers with an opportunity to re-evaluate, understand, and cope with their current situation” (Utrzan 13).  As everything familiar to the refugees’ changes overnight it can affect them because they are ambiguous about the new setting and don’t know what safety is anymore prior to being around the Syria crisis.  Having to flee to save their life not knowing if or when they will see their family again raises depression and anxiety.  Therefore, encouragement for therapists is imperative to refugees and can show an increasing amount of improvement in their mental health.

Many of the refugees arriving in Canada are young children, accompanied by their family or that are alone.  “A disturbing number of these refugee youth are orphans or traveling alone, either by choice or after separation from parents or caregivers; they are extremely vulnerable to exploitation” (Marshall, E. A 308).  There is a huge number of young refugees who arrive at new host countries all the time, and because of their age, it is difficult for them to adjust, thus leading them to feel overwhelmed, fearful, and lost.  “A third of the global population of displaced people is thought to be between the ages of 10 and 24, with almost half (47%) being under 18” (Marshall, E. A 308).  As refugees are highly motivated to learn, experiences of trauma and migration difficulties can bring challenges to this attainment.  Counseling and treatment are necessary for undeveloped/young refugees specifically because children are more vulnerable.  Also, getting the aid they need can benefit their development and growth.  Despite difficulties, young refugees demonstrate determination, and strength; having mental health professionals acknowledge their resilience and abilities will assist them in their healing pathway and support them as they adapt positively to a new home.

Living with a mental disorder is one of the hardest things to do.  With a physical illness your body is impaired, however with a mental illness, not only is your body and mind severely affected, but the entire world around you is also.  Unfortunately, many times mental health needs are left untouched.  The taboo of discussing mental health around the world has led to a hidden crisis in which many refugees suffer from mental illness with little to no support.  It is not surprising that tragedies of war and crisis lead to issues of mental and emotional health, therefore, one must take action and support those who are affected by this conflict.

Trauma is not over for the refugees once they’re in a new country. Mental health care is an overlooked but crucial right.  Responsibility doesn’t end with this rescue but has to consider the total wellbeing of Syrian children in the host country, who are vulnerable to psychological

Ultimately, the most important and effective step to support the mental health of refugees would be to provide mental health care that empowers an individual with promises, confidence, support, and treatment.