Immigrating to the United States can present significant challenges for families, especially when cultural differences and unfamiliar systems create obstacles to stability and connection.
For some Somali parents, like Fartun, navigating complex processes such as school enrollment and housing policies to avoid eviction were overwhelming. These barriers left Fartun's children feeling isolated and put her family’s stability at risk. Realizing the impact these challenges could have on her family’s well-being, Fartun found hope and support when The Buckeye Ranch stepped in to help.
In August, Fartun was connected with The Buckeye Ranch’s Somali Outreach and Mental Health program, an Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH)-funded initiative. With the support of Somali-speaking case managers, the program provides support for Somali youth and families struggling with symptoms related to loss, trauma and resettlement, as well as issues common to the process of merging cultures.
Nafiso Jamale, the program's clinical supervisor, shared that her team helped enroll Fartun’s children in a charter school, secured stable housing for the family and continues to provide weekly counseling sessions for Fartun’s two sons.
“The kids are a lot better and they love school,” Nafiso said. “They have goals now, whereas before, they struggled to see hope or feel motivated.”
In Somali culture, stigma towards mental health services often keeps parents from seeking help, but Fartun said accepting the program’s support was an easy decision if it meant her children would get the help they needed.
Providing culturally-informed care
Although Fartun was open to participating in the program’s mental health services, many in the Somali community view mental illness as a negative force and are hesitant to accept health care.
“Somalis believe mental illness is evil, and those who have a mental illness are cursed,” Nafiso said. “That way of thinking leads many Somalis to feel like they need to hide their illness.”
The lack of trust in mental health care services can lead to misdiagnoses, so Nafiso and her team focus on building strong relationships with families involved in the program to help prevent such outcomes.
“It’s very important we have case managers who speak Somali and understand the religion and culture,” she said. “When we talk to Somali families versus when someone who isn’t Somali talks with them, it’s different. There is a deeper level of trust because they can see themselves within those providing care for them; they feel seen and understood.”
The case managers address stigma by offering cultural competency workshops and parenting classes. These sessions help Somali parents recognize signs of depression and other mental health challenges in their children, as well as provide guidance on how to discuss these issues openly.
“We’re here to advocate for Somali families so hopefully with the proper education, they’re able to get the help they need,” Nafiso said.
A vision for growth
Since taking on the clinical supervisor role nearly two years ago, Nafiso said the Somali Outreach and Mental Health program at The Buckeye Ranch has grown immensely.
In addition to the team’s individual cases, the program focuses heavily on outreach through partnerships that include schools and the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Team members also will table at various community events to spread the word about the program’s prevention and mental health services.
As more Somali families learn about the program, Nafiso is hopeful the community will expand its resources to better support Columbus’ growing Somali population.
“I love this work, and if ADAMH didn’t fund it, it would not exist, so I’m thankful,” Nafiso said. “This program is saying it’s OK if you’re feeling depressed, you’re not alone and we value you. I think if we can have more education and fund more organizations that target Somali community mental health, then that’d be amazing.”