Refugees in Calgary will have improved access to mental health programs

The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) now has access to $60,000 to help refugees get access to mental health services.

The funds come from a sizable donation from investment company Primacorp Ventures.

CCIS says it will use the donation to “employ a full-time therapist for the refugee mental health program, shorten their long waitlist, and provide early intervention programs to newcomers.”

CCIS’s almost 35-year-old mental health program — Centre for Refugee Resilience — offers support for families and people of all ages.

“Support from the CCIS changed my life. It is why I am standing here today,” said Modeste Nzenga, a refugee and survivor of torture in East Africa.

Modeste’s example of settling in, recovering and healing, and thriving in Canada, is a perfect example of the need for mental support programs for refugees, as they are often not out of the woods by the time they arrive to Canada.

Fariborz Birjandian, CEO of CCIS, and a former refugee, says refugees come to Canada to escape traumatic situations, leading to the need for mental health support through counselling.

“This is the magic of Canada; that people can come here and fit right in and feel at home.

“Trauma left untreated is what leads to mental health issues,” said Birjandian.

“This is a unique project in Canada that we have been very lucky to receive support for from the government and donors such as Primacorp.”

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Najib Raie a former refugee and associate vice president of business and strategy at Primacorp Ventures, empathizes with the hardships refugees face when they come to Canada, as they have to learn a new language, obtain qualifications for their credentials — which isn’t always easy — and learn how to integrate in a new culture.

“Mental health is an important and often overlooked piece of the puzzle when it comes to resettlement for refugees,” said Raie. “Supporting refugees and immigrants in Canada is a cause close to our hearts.”