Africans in Germany face higher rates of depression:

The rate of depression among Africans in Germany is alarming. Handling even a few cases each day can be overwhelming, especially when counsellors themselves are unsure how to provide effective help.

The journey for Africans in Germany is often filled with sadness and difficulty. They experience immense stress from trying to fit into a new country. Learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and understanding new social rules can be extremely hard. This can lead to feelings of isolation, homesickness, and depression, especially when they can’t find people from their hometowns or places of worship.

African parents, especially mothers, face significant challenges with the “Jugendamt” (Youth Welfare Office). Some have had their children taken away for various reasons and are deeply concerned that their children might end up in worse homes or with unsuitable foster parents.

Experiencing discrimination and racism adds to their struggles. Many Africans have never faced such harsh treatment because of their skin colour until they arrive in Germany. This prejudice and exclusion can deeply affect their mental health.

Many migrants and refugees come to Germany after enduring traumatic events, violence, or extreme hardships in their home countries or during their journey. These painful memories lead to depression, especially for those who travelled through dangerous routes like the desert.

Socioeconomic factors make things worse. Migrants often find it hard to get jobs, education, and healthcare, which can increase their mental health issues. Unemployment can be very degrading for those who were once self-reliant. Some use up all their savings on basic needs while trying to get work permits, leading to heartbreaking situations where grown adults are reduced to tears. Going back home isn’t an option, as it would be seen as a failure.

Language and communication barriers further isolate them. Not being able to speak German fluently makes it hard to access support services and integrate into the community. They must rely on others to read and write letters for them, which is embarrassing and invades their privacy. Even their own children do look down on them for not speaking German well, adding to their distress. Accessing useful information, like language schools, lawyers, purchasing tickets for events online, and booking appointments with state agencies, becomes a challenge.

Being separated from family and social networks causes loneliness. Being far from loved ones and their usual support systems can lead to feelings of disconnection. Back home, they enjoyed socializing with friends, attending funerals, parties, and weddings. In Germany, life becomes boring and lonely, which is very disheartening.

Uncertainty about the future creates a lot of stress. Worrying about their immigration status, whether they can get legal residency, or if they can reunite with family members causes significant anxiety. Some have been living in Germany with temporary status for years, feeling like their lives are wasted. One man spent 20 years trying to secure his legal status without success and couldn't even return home to bury his parents.

It is important to understand the unique challenges migrant populations face and ensure they have access to culturally sensitive mental health services and support systems. Addressing these issues can help improve the mental well-being of African communities in Germany. Their emotional and psychological struggles are immense, and they need compassionate and urgent attention.

Desmond John Beddy