The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released a self-care handbook to assist Syrian men living in Germany in identifying and addressing psychosocial challenges such as isolation, difficulty adapting to German culture, discrimination, language barriers, future uncertainty, unemployment, bureaucracy, and shifting roles within the family.
The manual helps Syrian men better understand their moods and emotions, as well as their bodies’ reactions to stressors, and to build coping mechanisms that are tailored to their specific needs and resources. It is based on Syrian men’s experiences, as well as viewpoints from their sisters, mothers, wives, and daughters.
“This is a game-changing book for Syrian males in Germany in terms of mental health and psychosocial support,” stated IOM Chief of Mission Jean-Philippe Chauzy. “Syrians account for about 1% of the German population, and there is a great demand for culturally sensitive psychosocial support and resources like this one, which considers men’s needs and represents their experiences and opinions.”
The handbook, which was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Migration, Refugees, and Integration, provides a list of organizations that offer various types of assistance to Syrian men and their families in order to help them deal with the obstacles they confront.
The manual is accessible in Arabic, English, and German, and is illustrated by Syrian artist Diala Brisly. At selfcare-germany.iom.int, you may learn more about the guidebook and other self-help resources.
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Unit of IOM Germany prepared the Self-Care Handbook for Syrian Men Living in Germany from 2020 to 2021. It draws on the IOM resource Self-Help for Men Facing Crisis and Displacement, which was developed in Syria and Lebanon between 2014 and 2015.
