1. How to work with immigrants in an ethical manner while dealing with the real world
Presented by Jessica Nunan

2. Objectives
Outline the psychosocial issues associated with being an immigrant as well as those that are particular to undocumented immigrants and additional factors to consider when also experiencing gender based violence
Describe ethical dilemmas that may occur and discuss recommendations
Offer some guidelines for best practice with immigrant individuals and families
What made you decide to come to this presentation?
What were you hoping to learn from today’s presentation

3. Previous Experiences
What has worked when working with different cultures/immigrants?
What has been some challenges
Why?
Before we begin wanted to ask

4. Psychosocial Issues: Immigrant
Grief
Language
Culture
Laws and Rights
Food
Grief-Loss of family and friends
Language-Language barriers-can lead obstacles to social and professional integration
Culture-Difference in dress customs, finding appropriate place of worship, difference in laws
Work-qualifications are often not transferable which lead to jobs that are over qualified for
Income-Although income may be better so is cost of living
Trauma-What they may have experienced/ witnessed in their native country
Age-The older you are harder it is to adapt
Stigma-seeking mental health support can be looked down upon

5. Psychosocial Issues: Immigrant
Work
Income
Trauma
Age
Stigma
Income-Although income may be better so is cost of living
Trauma-What they may have experienced/ witnessed in their native country
Age-The older you are harder it is to adapt
Stigma-seeking mental health support can be looked down upon

6. Psychosocial Issues: Undocumented
Fear
Lack of Resources
Additional Discrimination

7. Psychosocial Issues: Gender Based Violence
Fear
Isolation
Lack of Safety
Loss of power

8. Impact Depression Anxiety Feeling of Helplessness Self Esteem
Self medicating
Suicidal Ideations

9. Activity Time
-Design: Is the program set up in a way that addresses the realities of the participants (ie programming for each part of the family)
-Facilitators: Do they represent community/ individuals who participants can relate to
-Opportunities to grow: Lideres
-Language: Language reflect the purpose of program and philosophy

10. Ethical Dilemmas Best Case vs Least Harmful
Short term impact vs long term
Empowerment
Language
Best Case vs Least Harmful-hope for the best bit often have to settle with least harmful: Letting the survivor decide if she is willing to risk driving without a license so she can participate in a support group
Short term impact vs long term-Calling police short term benefit but may lose provider/parent in long term
Empowerment-Your version of gaining empowerment may not look the same as yours: Want her to leave husband and becomr autonomous but she considers empowerment having her partner not use physical violence anymore and going to a support gropu but still respecting culture by staying with partner
Language: Are you able to speak their native language well enough to have a meaningful conversation

11. Guidelines Loss of power Transfer of power back to survivor
Holistic Approach
Participant Led
m-One component of DV is the aggressor taking power and control away from survivor
-Therefore one goal is to transfer the power back to the survivor instead of transferring it to the advocate
-Important to start where the survivor is and look at whole picture vs DV only -

12. In Closing Accepting Least Harmful Support vs Rescuing
It is not only about the language
Accepting Least Harmful
Support vs Rescuing

13. Questions

14. How to contact us Jessica Nunan, LMSW Executive Director
Information Line