Social Work Services: New Migrant Support

At Thoughtful Connections, we know that people who migrate to another country alone, or with their families, are faced with a big adjustment and a steep learning curve. Migration for personal safety or for economic reasons, settling in, integrating into a new life, becoming used to a new culture - this process can feel very exciting but also very daunting and stressful.

Such a big move often impacts you at your very core

Change impacts on every part of your life:

stress affects your emotions, your body, your thoughts
logical, clear and exact decision-making becomes harder to do
you don't feel as strong and your energy reserves reduce
your limits are challenged as you complete each step in the process
your worldview and beliefs are challenged, as you learn new ways of doing and being, to integrate into your new life and society
you feel like you're not in control, as everything around you shifts and moves

Translate with Google

Visit the Services Australia New Migrants pages

When you migrate, there is so much to do!

Find work, or set up a new business
Find a new home in a suitable suburb
Find the best transport for you and your family
Enrol yourself or your children in school, or university
Register with a doctor (GP), dentist or healthcare provider to fit your needs
Join your nearest church or sporting community, to connect with what you know and love
Explore your local community, discover who and what, is around you
Or even ... just find your way back home after a long day!

Stress generally affects you, your family, and your ability to cope

And this is all before you take on the added complexity of learning about new social and civic responsibilities and obligations, or maybe even having to learn or master the English language.

Whether you are a young person, a supporting family member or a parent who is joining your family, the type of stress caused by migration can have negative consequences on everyone's physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual self.

If you feel you are struggling - you don't have to do it alone, help is available. It's important to reach out. Your Thoughtful Connections practitioner can provide you with the support, guidance and counselling, so that you can begin to feel more able to deal with stress, to find your way and feel more in control of your new life.

Our practitioner Frederica can speak fluent French and Italian, some Spanish and a little Kiswahili, and is very happy to work with interpreters. If you would like to have an interpreter - for any language - in person or via telephone, please say "interpreter" when you contact the service.

Connect with my Social Worker