The humanitarian program offers safety to thousands each year, but our new longitudinal study reveals a troubling pattern: mental health recovery among humanitarian migrants often stalls, or even declines, over time.
Our study found that psychological distress was high on arrival (42%), dipped slightly in the second year, then rose again to 40% by year three. Alarmingly, one in six humanitarian migrants experienced persistently elevated distress across the entire five-year follow-up.
This isn’t simply a health statistic; it’s a national integration challenge. Persistent distress limits education participation, workforce entry, and social inclusion. It places a long-term strain on health services and hinders the ability of individuals to rebuild their lives in safety.
Why recovery stalls: While trauma from pre-migration experiences plays a role, post-migration stressors, such as housing instability, unemployment, discrimination, and language barriers, often keep distress levels high. Short-term settlement support cannot address challenges that persist for years.
Policy priorities:
- Long-term monitoring: Mental health screening should occur regularly for at least the first five years, not just at arrival.
- Integrated services: Embed mental health care within employment, housing, and language programs so migrants can access help in everyday settings.
- Targeted intervention: Early identification of individuals at risk for persistent distress can trigger intensive, tailored support.
Bottom line: Host countries’ resettlement programs must evolve from ensuring initial safety to building sustained stability. Long-term, coordinated policies are essential to move migrants from surviving to thriving.
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