On Starting Over: The Mental Health Impact of Immigration

In this episode, Prabhvir Gill, a student placement at Distress and Crisis Ontario, speaks with Neta Gear, Executive Director of the Delton Glebe Counselling Centre and Distress and Crisis Ontario. As a registered social worker with extensive experience in crisis services, brain injury support, and community care, Neta brings valuable insight into the mental health challenges faced by immigrants.
Together, they discuss how the stress of migration impacts mental well-being, the emotional toll of leaving one’s home country, and the effects of family separation—particularly on children. Neta sheds light on the barriers immigrants face when accessing mental health services and the role of fear, stigma, and legal status in shaping their experiences. She also explores common coping strategies and how communities can work to raise awareness and improve support systems.
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