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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Coalition Addresses Mental Health Needs Among NH Newcomers

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011   

MANCHESTER, N.H. - New Hampshire has not been known for its ethnic or cultural diversity. However, in the last decade, the face of the state is changing, with growing refugee and immigrant communities in more populated areas such as Manchester, Concord and Nashua.

With that change comes the need for education and outreach, says Bobbie Bagley, who chairs the New Hampshire Minority Health Coalition board of directors. This is especially true for mental-health issues, she says, because many refugees come to the state from war-torn countries in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere.

"Where they've suffered trauma and situations, have had experiences that can really tax their mental-health status. These individuals are being placed in areas where that access may not be available, or where people don't even identify or even understand what the families could be going through."

This is especially true in schools, Bagley says, where refugee children may be struggling with horrific experiences, on top of adjusting to new children, teachers and an entirely new way of life.

"That 'acting out' may not be because it's a 'bad' child, but maybe because of some of the trauma that they've experienced, and now they're having some residual effects of that, that's impacting their mental health."

Because of stigmas surrounding mental health, especially in minority populations, Bagley says, many do not seek help. She says her coalition is working to change that.

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and Bagley says her coalition, in collaboration with NAMI New Hampshire (the state branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness), is ramping up efforts to educate mental health professionals and other service providers about changing needs. They're holding workshops and reaching out to immigrant groups about the importance of seeking assistance when needed.

More information is online at naminh.org.


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