Healing: Mental Health and Migration in Mozambique

After the death of her eldest son, Maria’s world fell apart. He had been the steady presence she leaned on, and now, that anchor was gone. Her eyes, though quiet, spoke volumes of her grief. In the days that followed, she found herself not just mourning her son, but also wrestling with an overwhelming wave of emotional challenges, trying to make sense of life in the absence of the person who had given her so much strength.

In a world where mental health care should not have boundaries of legal status, gender, age, or background, the collaboration between IOM Mozambique, partners, and communities has touched the lives of over 70,000 individuals in 2023. The collective efforts have created environments conducive to overall well-being.

Mozambique, a nation with its own unique challenges, finds itself amidst a scarcity of mental health care resources. Here, the plight of people in need is further compounded by the shortage of professionals, medications, and proper infrastructure. 

For those displaced by conflict and disasters in northern Mozambique, the burden of challenges on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing can be immense. In response, IOM, in tandem with local communities and partners, actively engages in nurturing healing and well-being among affected communities through socio-relational activities

By facilitating access to mental health and psychosocial support services, IOM empowers displaced individuals to re-build the resilience needed to overcome distressful experiences and forge harmonious relationships with host communities.

Good mental health extends beyond the absence of mental health conditions; it encompasses living in an environment that upholds dignity, protects rights, fosters community bonds, and enables meaningful contributions.

In Mozambique, internally displaced individuals, migrants, and refugees grapple with challenging circumstances and the aftermath of disruptive experiences. According to the latest IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report, there are 850,599 IDPs, including those displaced due to climate-related factors, and 571,468 returnees. These individuals have endured or witnessed violence, losing loved ones, social networks, and possessions in the process.

Mozambique, a country significantly impacted by climate change, also stands as a crucial junction for migration in the region. While some migrants use Mozambique as a passage to pursue better opportunities in South Africa, a significant number find themselves stranded in Mozambique, lacking access to legal, social, and basic services.

In the intricate cycle of migration, from departure to return, every phase profoundly influences migrants' emotions, thoughts, and interactions. Forced migration or return can be particularly disruptive, giving rise to a range of psychosocial challenges . Reintegration demands as well careful consideration of the psychosocial dimension.

In prioritizing mental health as a universal right, IOM Mozambique exemplifies the transformative power of collective action. Through dedication and collaborative spirit, together with communities and partners IOM illuminates a path towards a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Let us not only reflect on our own right to mental health but also strive to protect the rights of others.

These activities are supported by the Embassy of Ireland