Minnesota Immigrant Health Program
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges and Opportunities
Dedicated to the mental and behavioral well-being of immigrant and refugee communities, this program addresses the impact of migration trauma, acculturation, and systemic barriers. We translate research into action by designing culturally sensitive interventions, fostering resilience, and advocating for policies that empower these populations.
Somali Medical Association of America (SMAA) works to improve health disparities facing the East-African migrant communities by working alongside communities to bring positive change. SMA is committed to increasing the number of Somali physicians in the United States and aims to create a platform to advance medical knowledge through research, health education, and charitable initiatives.
Africa and Middle East Congress on Addition (AMECA) is a global, not-for-profit, non-government organization that promotes training, researcher, and development opportunities to scientists and professionals in the field of addiction and related mental health problems.
This program focuses on the mental and behavioral health of immigrants and refugees by identifying challenges like trauma, displacement, and acculturation stress. We develop and evaluate culturally appropriate interventions, addressing social determinants such as housing and employment. Furthermore, we work to strengthen community resilience and translate our findings into practical policies and guidance for service providers to enhance support systems and care quality.
Our key activities include conducting studies with diverse immigrant groups to understand their mental health experiences and outcomes. We measure the effectiveness of various interventions, from clinical therapies to public health programs, and collaborate closely with community members, service providers, and policymakers to ensure our research is both relevant and actionable. Finally, we translate these findings into practice by providing training and resources to build the capacity of mental health professionals.