Migration grief: what it is, how it affects you and when to seek help.

Emigrating often goes hand in hand with new opportunities for personal and professional growth, alongside the chance to build a better future. However, behind a move to a new country there is also an emotional reality that often goes unnoticed: the grief associated with migration. Adapting to a new culture is not simply a matter of learning a different language or finding a new job. It involves saying goodbye, at least temporarily, to the people, places and traditions that form part of our identity.

In this article, we will discuss the main symptoms, how it can affect our psychological wellbeing, and when it is advisable to seek professional help.

What is migration grief?

Migration grief is the psychological and emotional process a person goes through when they leave their country of origin to settle in another. We usually associate the word ‘grief’

with the loss of a loved one, but in reality any significant change that involves a loss can trigger a grieving process.

When emigrating, these losses can extend to many areas of a person’s life:

- Family and friends.

- Culture, traditions and customs.

- Sense of belonging.

- Loss of identity.

- Languages and forms of communication.

- Connection to places of significance.

- Work and professional and social status.

We can even include the food!

What is unique about migration-related grief is that many of these losses are not permanent. People are still there, the country is still there, and it is possible to return or stay in touch. However, the distance and the changes make the emotional experience a complex one.

Why can emigrating have such a profound emotional impact?

Moving to another country means having to cope with numerous changes all at once. The individual must adapt to a new environment while dealing with practical matters such as accommodation, employment, paperwork and the language.

At the same time, many of the familiar points of reference that provided a sense of security in everyday life disappear. Simple tasks such as going to the supermarket, visiting the doctor or socialising can become stressful situations during the first few months.

This accumulation of changes places a significant emotional and psychological strain on people, even when the decision to emigrate has been a voluntary one.

Some of these changes and losses that deserve particular attention include:

-Emotional bonds:

Although there are now many ways to stay in touch with loved ones, physical distance inevitably affects these relationships. Not being able to be there and share important moments, celebrations and difficult times can lead to a feeling of isolation.

-Sense of belonging:

For a while, you may feel that you do not fully belong anywhere. Your country of origin remains important, but it is no longer the setting for your day-to-day life. At the same time, your new country still feels unfamiliar and it is difficult to feel integrated.

-Identity:

Many people feel that they are no longer the person they were in their country of origin. It is common to experience a decline in self-esteem when one does not have a good command of the language, cannot find a job in line with one’s qualifications, or even loses the social recognition one previously enjoyed.

Symptoms of migration-related grief and when they can become a problem.

Although every person and every situation is different, it is true that there are symptoms

which are common. Turning directly to the emotional side, we can often feel intense sadness and loneliness, alongside homesickness and a persistent sense of guilt at having left our loved ones behind.

All these emotions and experiences described are entirely to be expected when emigrating. However, when they persist over time or significantly interfere with daily life, it may be advisable to seek help.

Here are some of the signs that indicate we should seek help:

- Severe anxiety.

- Panic attacks.

- A depressed mood lasting for weeks or even months.

- Sleep disturbances.

- Loss of appetite.

- Social isolation.

Migration-related grief is not an illness, but simply a process of adaptation, and experiencing it alone can make it more difficult. That is why asking for help does not mean you are unable to adapt, but rather that you have access to a safe space where you can understand and put into words what you are going through. It also helps you develop different strategies and tools to cope with this process in a healthier way.

If you are going through an immigration process and feel you need psychological support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us; we would be delighted to support you by offering a safe and respectful space that takes into account the situation you are currently facing.