Family and Caregiving Systems Strengthening to Promote the Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being for Displaced Families and Communities

Abstract

The United Nations estimates that by the end of June 2024, 122.6 million people worldwide were displaced from their homes due to persecution, political instability, social violence, and other structural and economic factors, and needed international protection. Displacement often affects many families, especially children, and caregivers, leading to long-term economic, safety, and educational vulnerabilities, as well as mental health and psychosocial risks, like depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress reactions, behavioral and social problems, family conflict, and social isolation. Social workers play a critical role in supporting people in displacement, especially displaced families and communities. This chapter highlights the importance of family-based approaches that respond holistically to the diverse needs of displaced families and offers specific examples of family-strengthening interventions that could be replicated to assist families in need. It also emphasizes using strengths-based and family resilience perspectives within caregiving systems and family interventions. We advocate for developing direct practice competencies like trauma-informed practice, cultural humility, family and caregiving systems orientation, and the ability to collaborate and support local providers and community members in serving these populations.