Marking World Mental Health Day, the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) hosted a youth-led dialogue session on 10th October 2024, with participants from the Iraqi, Palestinian, Yemeni, Syrian, and Sudanese refugee communities, focusing on the mental health challenges facing refugee youth in Jordan. 

This session, which focused on amplifying the voices of refugee youth, came after a youth for youth dialogue session held on August 6, 2024, addressing mental health challenges faced by young people in Jordan.

Led by Brigid O’Connor and moderated by Zaynab Jebur, two RSC interns, the session brought together 20 participants, including refugee youth and mental health professionals from Caritas Jordan. Dr. Rasha Safadi, a protection officer, and Dr. Lana Sonbar, a mental health and protection officer, contributed their expertise alongside other practitioners.

The following are the key issues discussed during the session:

Overview of Mental Health in Refugee Communities in Jordan

Brigid and Zaynab presented research conducted by the RSC internship program on mental health in refugee communities in Jordan, highlighting the unique challenges they face regarding mental health outcomes, services, and support. 

Jordan is home to over 730,000 refugees, making it the country with the second-largest refugee population per capita globally. Most refugees come from Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia, with each community facing different challenges depending on their legal status and access to services. The fact that Jordan is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention complicates this further.

- Syrian Refugees: Over 643,000 Syrian refugees reside in Jordan, with nearly half (48%) being under the age of 15. This group faces significant mental health challenges, compounded by the trauma of displacement and the lack of long-term stability.

- Iraqi Refugees: A study conducted in 2017 on 171 Iraqi refugees in Jordan revealed that over half of the sample suffered from high anxiety levels, and 42.8% reported high stress. These findings indicate ongoing mental health struggles linked to the traumatic experiences of conflict and displacement.

- Palestinian Refugees: PTSD is less prevalent in Palestinian refugee communities compared to other groups, likely due to the higher number of second-generation refugees. However, teenagers in this community remain vulnerable to social isolation and limited educational opportunities, while women aged 15-40 are at higher risk of stress due to the pressures of early marriages and caring for children.

- Sudanese and Yemeni Refugees: Jordan hosts nearly 5,000 Sudanese refugees, most of whom are classified as "non-border" refugees. These individuals face severe racial discrimination and are often viewed as visa overstayers rather than legitimate refugees. Similarly, 12,700 Yemeni refugees live in Jordan, many of whom enter the country on medical visas and overstay, leading the Jordanian government to view them as irregular migrants. As of 2018, only 41% of Yemeni refugees were registered with the UNHCR, further limiting their access to essential services, including mental health care.

Understanding the Term "Mental Health"

The session explored participants' definitions of mental health, encouraging them to reflect on their experiences. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders and exists on a continuum that affects people differently. Participants’ definitions were insightful, providing an intimate understanding of their mental health experiences.

For example, an Iraqi participant described mental health as "feeling comfortable with oneself," reflecting his belief in the importance of self-acceptance for well-being.

Determinants of Mental Health

Participants identified social, economic, environmental, and sociopolitical factors as the primary determinants of mental health. 

- Generational Trauma: Some participants highlighted the impact of generational trauma stemming from their experiences in conflict zones. One participant shared: "I lived through two wars, and I still remember bombs going off around us in Syria when I was 11. These memories stay with me."

- Economic Instability: The lack of job opportunities and economic prospects in Jordan is another critical issue. One Palestinian participant remarked, "There are no job opportunities for us." Economic challenges often exacerbate feelings of hopelessness, with some refugees contemplating dangerous migration routes in search of a better life. As one Syrian participant noted, "Many people try to cross from Libya to Europe or the US because they see no future in Syria or Jordan."

- Stigma: Stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier to seeking care. One participant emotionally recounted how her family refused to support her attempts to seek psychological help due to cultural stigma. She said, "When my dad found out, he became angry and said I wasn’t allowed to go."

Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care

Given the scarcity of mental health services and support structures, participants shared the coping mechanisms they use to manage their well-being.

- Living in the Present: One participant explained, "I live each day in the present and try to keep a schedule to bring structure into my life."

- Self-Reliance: Many participants emphasized self-reliance, with one saying, "I help myself by myself." Others mentioned turning to friends for emotional support or using self-reflection to process their feelings.

- Education and Work: The role of education and employment was seen as vital for maintaining mental well-being. One participant shared how his involvement in various work projects gave him purpose, while others discussed participating in community programs, such as those offered by the Collateral Repair Project (CRP).

Redefining the Term "Refugee"

The session concluded with a powerful discussion about the term "refugee." Participants expressed frustration with the negative connotations associated with the label. One participant stated, "People think of us as hopeless and dependent, but this is not true. We are human beings with our own lives, achievements, and aspirations." Another participant added, "I’m not a refugee; I have a name, and I should not be reduced to refugee status." Participants suggested replacing the term with هوية إنسانية (human identity) to better reflect their experiences and identities.

Recommendations

1. Raise awareness about mental health in refugee communities and encourage open discussions.

2. Advocate for more accessible mental health services, particularly for underrepresented communities.

3. Reform the language and provision of care, prioritizing refugee self-determination and identity rather than reducing individuals to their legal status.

4. Advocate for greater access to education and employment opportunities for refugee youth from all nationalities.

References

Al Akash, Ramzi, and Joanne K. Furey. "Anxiety, Stress, and Quality of Life Among Iraqi Refugees in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Survey." ResearchGate. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312134862_Anxiety_stress_and_quality_of_life_among_Iraqi_refugees_in_Jordan_A_cross_sectional_survey.

ARDD. "Recent Development and Main Challenges of Yemeni Refugees' Situation in Jordan: Legal Paper." ARDD. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://ardd-jo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Recent-Development-and-Main-Challenges-of-Yemeni-Refugees-Situation-in-Jordan-Legal-Paper.pdf.

Center for Victims of Torture. "What We Do: Jordan." CVT. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.cvt.org/what-we-do/communities-we-serve/middle-east/jordan/.

Collateral Repair Project. "Forgotten Refugees in Jordan." Collateral Repair Project. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.collateralrepairproject.org/forgotten-refugees-in-jordan/.

European Commission. "Jordan." Protection – Humanitarian Aid. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/middle-east-and-northern-africa/jordan_en#:~:text=Jordan%20hosts%20the%20fifth%20largest,live%20below%20the%20poverty%20line.

Hanafi, Sari. "Sudanese and Somali Refugees in Jordan." Middle East Research and Information Project. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://merip.org/2016/09/sudanese-and-somali-refugees-in-jordan/.

Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement. "Syrian Refugees in Jordan: Demographics, Livelihoods, Education, and Health." Literature Review. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.jointdatacenter.org/literature_review/syrian-refugees-in-jordan-demographics-livelihoods-education-and-health/#:~:text=Using%20this%20definition%2C%2093%20percent,refugee%20population%20under%20age%2015.

Royal College of Psychiatrists. "Mental Illness in Palestinian Refugees in Jordan: Barriers to Access." RCPsych. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/sigs/volunteering-and-international-vipsig/essay-prize-mckell-mental-illness-in-palestinian-refugees-in-jordan-barriers-to-access.pdf?sfvrsn=bdae18bb_2.

Sayegh, Mazin. "Refugee Labor Market in Jordan." SANA Center for Strategic Studies. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://sanaacenter.org/publications/main-publications/16557.

UNHCR. "Jordan." UNHCR Data Portal. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://data.unhcr.org/en/country/jor.

UNHCR. "Jordan." UNHCR. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.unhcr.org/countries/jordan. 

UNHCR. "Syria Regional Refugee Response: Jordan." UNHCR Data Portal. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria/location/36.

UNRWA. "Where We Work: Jordan." UNRWA. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/jordan#.