What worsens a refugee's mental health?
![Shapormonira](https://assets.tsosrefugees.org/general/_650x400_crop_center-center_none/shapormonira.jpg)
Several aspects of a refugee's experience negatively impacts mental health, including:
- prolonged detention or stay in a refugee camp
- insecure immigration status
- limitations in work and education
- poverty
- social isolation
- being retraumatized telling their story over and over for asylum or resettlement
Refugee voices on mental health
![A Desperate Voyage Through the Sahara Desert](https://assets.tsosrefugees.org/stories/_600x400_crop_center-center_none/220-Franklin-PW-Desperate-Journey-Sahara-BOOK-smaller.jpg)
Alex · Nigeria
![Henna, Afghanistan](https://assets.tsosrefugees.org/stories/_600x400_crop_center-center_none/046-LS-DSC_3524-Henna-BOOK-smaller.jpg)
Afghanistan
![Morena, Afghanistan](https://assets.tsosrefugees.org/stories/_600x400_crop_center-center_none/022-LS-DSC_3183-Morena-BOOK-smaller.jpg)
Afghanistan
Refugees often do not have access to trauma informed or culturally competent therapists. There are also other barriers to accessing services, including:
- language differences
- fear of a diagnosis impacting employment
- cultural norms surrounding silence and not seeking help