Social Work Services: New Migrant Support
Migrating to another country alone or with family, comes with a big adjustment and a steep learning curve. Whether it's for personal safety or for economic reasons, integrating into a new life and becoming used to a new culture can feel very exciting ... and scary, and stressful too. Change is challenging, and sometimes uses up all our energy reserves.
Such a big move often impacts you at your very core
Change impacts every part of life:
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stress affects our emotions, our body, our thoughts
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logical, clear and concise decision-making can become more difficult
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our strength and our energy reserves reduce
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limits are challenged as we complete each step in the process
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our worldview and beliefs are challenged as we face new ways of 'doing' and 'being' to integrate into new life and society
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we can feel less 'in control', somehow more 'lost'.
Services Australia information
When we migrate, there is so much to do!
Find work or open a new business! Find a home in a suitable location! Find the best transport options! Find the right school or university to enrol in! Register with a doctor (GP), dentist or healthcare provider! Connect with a Church, community group or sporting club! Explore the local community, discover what is available nearby!
Or even ... just find the way back home after a long day!
Acculturation is difficult, and stress affects us in different ways
Just finding balance in everyday life is hard, and people don't realize the extra complexity involved in "acculturating" - learning or mastering the Australian language, understanding new social and civic responsibilities or obligations.
The type of stress caused by migration very often impacts negatively on everyone's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self, from children to adults alike.
If you notice or feel that you are struggling, it's important to reach out early - you don't have "go it" alone.
HELP AND SUPPORT ARE AVAILABLE.
Your Thoughtful Connections practitioner can provide you with support, guidance and counselling, to help you manage challenges and stress, to feel more in control of your new life and to find your way forwards.
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.