Occupational Therapy & Immigration

 

 A Calling for Occupational Therapy Services for Immigrants and Refugees

 A Social Media Advocacy Post

Image: http://library.stkate.edu/news/immigrant-stories

“Immigrants remind us that there is a bigger place out there called the WORLD and that we are all seeking a better life” (Smarty Symbols, 2019).

Have you ever questioned how many immigrants are currently living in America and why did they move here? Or has it ever crossed your mind how immigrants go about their daily life after moving into a brand-new country? It's a wild thought because our entire nation is made up of immigrants or we come from parents or ancestors who once immigrated to America, in search for a new place of settlement where they can work towards an improved quality of life.  According to the 2018 American Community  Survey (ACS), America is the leading country that holds the largest number of immigrants in the world. As of 2018, more than 44.7 million immigrants live in the U.S. and one of seven U.S. residents is foreign born (Batalova, Bolter, & Blizzard, 2020). 

According to Bennet, Scornajencki, Brzozowksi, Denis, and Magalhaes (2012), people immigrate to a different country in order to improve quality of life. However, the process does not always start off positive. Immigration can lead to occupational deprivation, interruption, and alienation due to moving  into a country with unfamiliar cultural norms, differences in language, and stigma/discrimination associated with race and societal standings. This sudden force of adaptation into this new society can mentally and physically affect how the individual and/or their families integrate into their new surrounding and potentially impact quality of life (p. 186). 

How can one fully support individuals/families in resettlement and allow them to emerge themselves into the community?

As an occupational therapy (OT) student ready to enter the field in just a few months, I believe that immigrants and refugees should be receiving more than just financial or materialistic support. I am calling attention to all future OT professionals and therapists currently practicing in the field to reach out into your community and support these individuals who may not have access to OT and mental health services because they do not qualify, are unaware of such supports, or are not able to afford these services. 

Currently, there are no bills or grants proposed to address this issue in the community. All in all, I ask that you gather some health professionals, colleagues, friends with expertise in this area, and some agencies or organizations that are willing to collaborate and consider forming a program within your local community. This community-based program should addresses client-centered occupations and goals, mental health, guidance on adaption, and cultural immersion. Uniting one local community at a time, together, we can build a new supportive "home" for our newly immigrated/refugee neighbors and friends.

Patricia Tran, OTS

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Batalova, J., Bolter, J., & Blizzard, B. (2020, March 31). Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states?gclid=CjwKCAiAv4n9BRA9EiwA30WND0Q_0Ar-HxPhptd0P49OJVP8vU8SUHSObWXtBGB8XTweDnURPABRVhoC8mgQAvD_BwE

Bennett, K. M., Scornaiencki, J. M., Brzozowski, J., Denis, S., & Magalhaes, L. (2012). Immigration and its Impact on Daily Occupations: A Scoping Review. Occupational Therapy International, 19(4), 185-203. doi:10.1002/oti.1336

Smarty Symbols. (2019, July 18). Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.facebook.com/smartysymbols/photos/a.144825248923094/2833664090039183/?type=3