Introduction
African migrant Ekon, who moved to Queensland from Africa, faces problems that negatively impact his mental health. Diagnosed depression is associated with social, behavioral, environmental, and biological problems that are common among migrants. Ekon, feeling disconnected from the community, cannot cope on his own with the stress of moving and the increased responsibility for his family. To resolve problems with the adaptation of migrants in the example of Econ, it is necessary to contact the Australian Health Services. Depression is a characteristic moral state for migrants, but unfortunately, not all have access to timely and high-quality medical care.
Health Issue
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses that affect how people act and think. As of 2022, Australia has a residually high depression rating of 5.9%, with over 1,300,000 identified cases (World Population Review, 2022). Thus, depression is a common disease that is estimated to affect one in twenty people. Patients diagnosed with depression demonstrate apathy, sadness, loss of interest in any activity, changes in appetite, and difficulty sleeping. Among the more severe depressive syndromes, suicidal actions and self-harm are distinguished. Risk factors for depression are genetics, biochemistry, differences in brain chemicals, personality traits, and environment. Even in developed countries, many cases of mental illness go undiagnosed and unreported because patients are either ashamed of their illness or do not know that it is a treatable illness.
While rates of depression are on the rise, this fact may be related to a promising trend: patients seek and receive treatment for mental illness more often than ever rather than being left without medical care. The quality of life in depression is significantly reduced: a person loses interest in life and cannot normally fulfill his social role and professional duties. Timely diagnosed depression does not affect life expectancy; however, the disease is dangerous in advanced stages with a high risk of suicidal behavior. Fortunately, depression is easily treatable, and those who have been diagnosed have several options depending on their diagnosis, including medication assistance and therapy.
Determinants of Health
From a biological point of view, Ekon was diagnosed with depression because such a radical move turned out to be very stressful for him. With three small children, Ekon is the only breadwinner in the family, and mental health problems can be caused by increased responsibility and anxiety about this. One of the behavioral determinants of health is the habit of frequent job changes. They are all unskilled, so they quickly become boring, which can also be a factor that provokes depression. From a social point of view, Ekon may experience depression as a migrant and feel disconnected from the society in which he lives. His stubbornness in his former way of life arises because he did not manage to settle well in a new place. From the environmental point of view, for Ekon, the surrounding seems alien and hostile; he does not feel safe.
Australian Health Services
No separate specialized state clinic could help Ekon cope with depression in Toowoomba. However, several private health organizations can help with this problem. For example, the treatment of depression in adults is handled by the private Toowoomba Clinic. Clinic services include inpatient examination and treatment, group classes, and day programs to combat depression, anxiety, and self-esteem problems (The Toowoomba Clinic, 2022). The clinic promises a new approach to treating mental illness, finding a solution to each patient’s problem, and an individual treatment plan (The Toowoomba Clinic, 2022). Ekon is at the stage where he needs competent medical care to continue his adaptation to the country.
In addition to direct psychological assistance, Ekon needs help in social adaptation, which did not go well for him. With social adaptation, the Australian Red Cross program is aimed at helping migrants can help (Australian Red Cross, 2022). In the case of Ekon, a program aimed at helping young parents and a program aimed at assisting them while receiving medical services can be useful. The Red Cross also helps migrants with formal employment (Australian Red Cross, 2022). Ekon must use the help because, on his own, he will not be able to combine treatment for depression and the search for a new job to support his family.
Health Services Addressing Determinants
The available services can partially solve the problems with the adaptation of Ekon. Clinics focused on psychological assistance should help him get on the path to treatment for depression. Australian Red Cross programs can provide both job and financial assistance. These methods can help reduce the social and behavioral causes of Ekon’s depression. However, despite the help, the environment can still remain hostile to Ekon. The problem is also that migrants are unaware of aid programs like the Red Cross. This is demonstrated by Ekon, who asked for help only after several years of developing a mental illness.
Conclusion
Thus, the development of depression in an African migrant was provoked by social, behavioral, and environmental factors. Despite the relatively extended stay in the country, Ekon could not adapt to the changing environment and is experiencing nostalgia for his old way of life. Despite his work experience, Ekon cannot find a highly qualified position and provide for his family. The only correct solution is to go to a mental health clinic. Ekon can count on Red Cross migrant support programs. However, these methods do little to change the situation around Ekon.
Recommendation
Improving the well-being of migrants is impossible without ensuring proper adaptation to a new place. In the case of Ekon, he lacks people who will understand and share his story. It is necessary to create a center where migrants can gather to discuss the problems of adaptation and psychological difficulties. Such centers should be supported by psychologists who will help cope with the difficulties. There is also a need to raise the awareness of Australians about the problem of migrants. Public percept migrants as a bad thing, although they can significantly contribute to the country’s economy (Guardian Australia, 2018). The most difficult and most important thing in providing migrants with a high quality of life is hospitality. It is necessary to develop an understanding of the attitudes of residents towards migrants, as well as perceptions of different cultures and ethnic groups (Kooy & Wickes, 2019). Society should become more supportive and trusting so that such situations, as in the case of Ekon, are not observed.
References
Australian Red Cross. (2022). Everyday help for everyone. Web.
Guardian Australia. (2018). Seeking asylum, finding resilience: Alfred Mupenzi on what his PhD taught him. Www.youtube.com.
Kooy, J., & Wickes, R. (2019). Settling migrants in regional areas will need more than a visa to succeed. The Conversation.
The Toowoomba Clinic. (2022). About Us.
About Us: The Toowoomba Clinic – Mental Health Hospital
World Population Review. (2022). Depression Rates by Country 2022. Worldpopulationreview.com.