Afghan Mental Health in Western and Eurocentric Communities
By Mona Fakhry
Connectively disconnected communities
I think many Afghans, including myself, can agree our culture is beautiful in many ways. As communities and households, our relations can be tight-knit. We come together and honour our collectivism through weddings, engagements, graduations and funerals. Yet, we suffer in silence and isolation when it comes to our mental health. Mental health is often one of our last topics of conversation. When it is brought up, it’s mostly to point out the deewana people.
When we suffer alone, mental illness becomes even more overwhelming. When we do not learn or talk about taking care of our mental health, we become more at risk to mental and physical illness and conditions. As Afghan diaspora (scattered population) communities, we are more prone to mental health issues because of various conditions including refugee and asylum situations, continued displacement, disconnection from a home country, the violence which continuously exists back home, racism against Afghans, islamophobia and intergenerational/transgenerational trauma.
Intergenerational Trauma
Intergenerational or transgenerational trauma is a newer psychological phenomenon. Intergenerational refers to between or across generations, where transgenerational is across multiple generations. Intergenerational and transgenerational trauma is the process of transmission of trauma from and to generations, by nature (genes/biology) and by nurture (environment/child-rearing), which impact human development. The process of epigenetics can provide further explanation for the transmission of trauma and healing from one generation to another. The epigenetic process includes the chemical markers on a person's DNA (genes). Epigenetic changes do not change the DNA sequence but how the body reads a DNA sequence. Therefore the effects of war and refugee seeking have impacted generations of Afghan’s mental health.
Some possible indicators of trauma within our communities & households
Trauma thoughts are italicized (adaptation of my IG post from Dec 2020)
Loud tones, voices + speaking over one another: I have to fight to get my point across much like I’ve fought my whole life.
Excessive stockpiling or hoarding: I have to hold on to the items I have since I’ve lost so much and had nothing at some points.
Gossiping: Trauma can contribute to a negative view of ourselves and others. Defensiveness and superiority (while feeling inferior) can be coping mechanisms for trauma.
Racism (including towards different ethnic groups in Afghan communities) + supporting whiteness : Prolonged trauma-feeling like there is a constant danger (coping mechanism fight response) & a desire for belonging after displacement. Example: I may fit in and be safe in this environment if I go with the grain of societal racism and whiteness.
Adults acting prematurely for their age: Grief for loss of time. I will seize the opportunities I never had and was not safe to do so.
Triggers of news from Afghanistan or other countries experiencing war/hardship (even if you were Canadian/American/European born and/or raised).
Other indicators and topics which impact our mental health: Addiction alcohol & drugs, domestic violence/abuse, toxic masculinity, female oppression, queerphobia , anxiety, depression.
Where do we begin?
Address & Reduce the stigma: Many do not discuss mental health because of the lack of education about it and stigma. Begin with conversations in your homes and communities. I find Afghans take physical health more seriously (which by the way mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand). Do your research about physical symptoms/aspects of mental illnesses, wellness, and poor mental health, then have the conversations in your homes.
Seek therapy and normalize it in your family: Seek culturally safe mental health therapy. Search in your area licensed mental health professionals and take the step. Chances are if you think someone in your life needs therapy you may need it as well. There does not need to be anything “wrong” with you to seek therapy. Just like we do not question going to a family physician for physical health/check-ups we should not question going to therapists for mental health/check-ups either. Each one of us has mental health like we have physical health. Talk to your family about what you’re learning in therapy and how it has been helpful. You can encourage family to begin therapy with you by seeking options of family and/or marriage/relationship counselling together.
Set healthy boundaries: Although we want to normalize such conversations sometimes the push back from our communities and family members may be strong. This is your reminder to set healthy boundaries around the conversations. Healing others is not your responsibility. We cannot change or do the work for anyone else. We can just set by example and engage in conversations while taking care of ourselves also.
When we don’t address and heal intergenerational trauma it continues to disguise itself as cultural and family norms. Just like trauma, healing can be transmitted as well. Let's have healthier, more proposer Afghan communities and people, by nurturing all areas of our health, including mental health. How will you begin to challenge this?
Disclaimer: Peer-reviewed research on the mental health of Afghan diasporas are almost non-existing, therefore, this article is based on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms commonly found in refugee seeking communities and lived experience. This article is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for any type of therapy.
Translation
Deewana – Crazy
About: Mona Fakhry (she/her), BCD, RECE is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Much of her work experience has been coaching educators and families with children of complex needs. As a therapist-in-training and Afghan-Canadian, nurturing Afghan mental health and wellness is something she is very passionate about. There is a lack of research and conversation around Afghan mental health in Western and Eurocentric communities. That is why she strives to collaborate with various Afghan and non-Afghan platforms, to amplify these conversations. The discussions have been centered on the research of psychology, mental health and lived experience as an Afghan-Canadian.
Keep in touch with Mona Fakhry
Instagram @mindfully_mona
Cover Image by Sana Saidi