For many migrant women, the journey to a new country is marked by more than cultural and logistical hurdles—it’s the emotional burden of loneliness and isolation that often goes unnoticed. Our Reporter, Laura Ndanuko, discusses how these feelings impact their mental health, well-being, and ability to build new lives, highlighting the crucial role of support and community in their journeys.
✍🏾Laura Ndanuko 📷 Abenezer Shewaga at Unsplash
Many women globally are migrating to foreign lands to seek a sheltered future and better opportunities, safety, and education. However, the journey is often fraught with emotional challenges that go beyond the logistical hurdles of resettlement.
For working migrant women, asylum seekers and students, the sense of loneliness and isolation can be overwhelming, making it harder to adapt to a new environment. These feelings of disconnection can have a profound effect on one’s mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other serious issues. Understanding these experiences is crucial to meeting the needs of these vulnerable populations and helping them find a sense of belonging and well-being.
Moving to a new country can be an intimidating experience, especially when it involves starting over with limited resources and facing significant cultural and language barriers. Abril Flores Rojo, who hails from Mexico, made this journey to Scotland three years ago to pursue a master’s degree.
Drawn by Scotland’s reputation as a welcoming place, she quickly discovered that, in reality, things were much more challenging. Upon arrival, she was immediately confronted with financial pressures. Despite bringing all her savings, the money ran out quickly. “You need to give everything to come here,” Abril said.
To make ends meet, she took on part-time work in hospitality while balancing the demanding requirements of her studies.
The job involved multiple roles, from hosting to serving, often extended beyond scheduled hours without additional pay. This was especially tough because, despite having ten years of professional experience in Mexico, Abril found herself in a position where her skills were undervalued, highlighting the exploitation that international students often face in low-paid jobs.
The move also had a significant impact on Abril’s mental health. There were already feelings of isolation and uncertainty when Abril decided to leave the familiarity of home in Mexico for a new country, especially during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The lockdown made the whole transition of building a social network and exploring her new environment even harder. She felt helpless, struggling with limited English skills and the need to quickly adapt to a completely different lifestyle.
“It took me ages to put together a sentence because I never spoke in English, for a whole day, before” she recalled.
Beyond Emotions: The Serious Physical Health Risks of Social Isolation for Migrant Women
Social isolation is not just an emotional burden; it can also have serious physical health consequences. According to research published in the European Heart Journal, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), prolonged isolation can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. This is because isolation can lead to unhealthy behaviours like poor diet, lack of exercise, and increased stress, all of which contribute to chronic health problems.
The study further says that the stress of isolation can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, particularly stress hormones like cortisol, which can exacerbate both mental and physical health issues. For migrant women, who may already be dealing with the stress of resettlement, the added burden of isolation can significantly increase their risk of developing these chronic conditions.
In addition to the challenges of isolation, many migrant women face specific health issues related to hormonal changes. For example, postpartum depression, which is already an under-discussed issue, is a significant concern for new mothers who have recently migrated. The combination of hormonal shifts after childbirth, the stress of adapting to a new country, and the isolation from family and support networks can make postpartum depression (PPD) particularly severe.
An article published by the National Library of Medicine states, ‘’this condition affects approximately 1 in 7 women within the first year after childbirth. PPD stems from a combination of hormonal changes, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors, yet up to 50% of cases remain undiagnosed due to the stigma surrounding the condition.’’ PPD can lead to long-term mental health issues if not addressed with proper support and care.
For many migrants, past trauma also plays a significant role in how they experience loneliness and isolation. Women who have fled conflict, violence, or persecution may carry the psychological scars of their past experiences, which can make it difficult to trust others or form new relationships. The trauma can resurface in the form of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), further compounding the sense of isolation and making it even harder to integrate into a new community.
In a report, the Mental Health Foundation states that Internationally, around 30% of refugees and asylum seekers have been found to experience PTSD, with the figure for those experiencing depression also around 30%.
Studies have shown that prolonged isolation can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
Building Confidence and Connection: How Stability and Shared Interests Help Combat Loneliness in a New Environment
When Abril found a job that offered more stability and flexibility, this new role was a turning point, giving her a sense of autonomy and financial independence that significantly boosted her confidence and mental well-being.
“When you are in need, it is more difficult to acknowledge your potential or be confident enough to do things for yourself. You feel limited, so starting to work reminded me that I had other skills, which built my confidence,” she said.
Despite these improvements, building a social life in a new country remained a challenge and seeing others with long-established friendships made it even harder for her to break into social circles.
‘’My personal life started blooming recently. I kept thinking that everyone else has a different life after work, and I did not know how or where to start making friends.’’
Determined to overcome this, Abril pushed herself out of her comfort zone. She began reaching out to others from her home country and engaged with local communities through social media.
Abril is a cheerful, social and active woman with a deep passion for culture, food and social justice. Joining groups aligned with her interests, such as a Latin American dance community and Latino Dance Project, helped her forge new friendships and create a sense of belonging. These efforts were crucial in tackling the loneliness she initially felt, though integrating into established local networks continued to be a challenge. Deeper connections often formed more easily with other foreigners.
As a project worker at Kairos Women+, her current work, Abril was fortunate to form a strong bond with a colleague who is also a migrant woman. This relationship provided invaluable support during difficult times, especially when navigating complex visa processes.
While institutional resources were available, the personal support from this colleague proved to be the most meaningful and impactful. Reflecting on her journey, Abril emphasises the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and engaging with others despite fears and barriers. She also highlights the significance of supporting others in similar situations, as kindness and mutual support can create a positive cycle of goodwill.
Abril’s involvement in cultural events and performing on stage further helped her connect with her roots and share the richness of her culture with other communities. For her, it is crucial to present her culture not just as something exotic but as a deeply meaningful and integral part of her identity. This approach allows her to educate others about the history and significance of her cultural practices, moving beyond superficial stereotypes.
Ultimately, Abril’s story is one of resilience, determination, and gradually building a new life in a foreign land. Despite her numerous challenges—from financial struggles to social isolation—she has created a fulfilling life in Scotland, marked by personal and professional growth.
Bianca* moved to Scotland from Nigeria in 2021 to pursue a master’s program at the University of West of Scotland. Compared to Abril, she had a different but equally challenging experience transitioning to a new country and culture. Fortunately, she could join a church community as soon as she arrived in Glasgow.
Bianca said she truly appreciated the church’s efforts to connect her with its members, who checked in on her, helped her find jobs, and invited her to participate in programs that provided mental and social support.
“I was lucky enough to find a strong African community here who could accommodate and support me,” she shared.
Bianca’s main challenge was the unexpected cost of services that would have been free in her home country, especially when trying to find accommodation. She also noticed how busy people in Scotland were, making it challenging to meet up with them. Once settled, Bianca encountered another hurdle in her academics.
Adjusting to the new culture and study demands took time. However, Bianca averred that she was fortunate to share a hostel with two classmates, and educational work was easier. “We were allowed to pick what group we wanted to be in, and the three of us chose to be in the same study group. Even when one of us was down or tired from work, we would encourage each other, and that really helped me through,” she said.
Her University also provided support programs to help international students navigate various challenges, which she said were essential for her mental health.
Plymouth University conducted research that explored the well-being of international students, their understanding and attitude towards counselling, practical steps of the counselling service and the steps the university might take to support international students in their transition to the UK.
The common themes in the research were language barriers, uncertainty, and differences in culture and academic life. The stigma around mental health was also highlighted, and most international students had the belief that you only need counselling when you are mentally ill.
Bianca describes herself as an introvert but acknowledges that one needs another to go further in life. She joined a group of other students from Scotland, which made her feel closer to home. This group allowed her to speak with people who had been in the country longer, making decisions easier with their guidance. “Being in this group has helped me a lot with information, especially about jobs. Most of the time, you can be in this country without information, which may hinder your growth,” she said.
Bianca is now building a life in Scotland; she enjoys listening to music and going to the gym and has a passion for baking and catering. She advises other migrants, especially students, to join a community to help navigate the hurdles of living in a new country. However, she also stresses the importance of being vigilant in choosing the right company, “…join a community that will help you grow, that will put you on the right track and give you information as this decision can make or break the experience.
For many migrants, observing cultural and religious practices in their new country helps them feel more balanced and grounded in their new environment.
The experiences of migrant women like Abril and Bianca highlight the complex challenges of adapting to a new country. While each story is unique, common themes of loneliness, isolation, and the struggle to find a sense of belonging emerge.
These emotions can have a significant impact on mental health. Still, with proper institutional and personal support, migrant women can overcome these challenges and build fulfilling lives in their new homes.
The key lies in creating supportive communities, both formal and informal, that recognise and address the emotional needs of those who have left everything familiar behind in search of a better future. By acknowledging the risks of social isolation, including its impact on chronic diseases and mental health conditions, and by addressing barriers like postpartum depression and past trauma, we can help migrant women not only survive but thrive in their new environments.
*Bianca is not her real name
Laura Ndanuko is Migrant Women Press reporter. She is a Community Development student from Kenya, based in Scotland. Laura is a passionate advocate for social justice and a volunteer at a variety of local women’s groups.
