The mental health problems of the Vietnamese in Calgary: major aspects and implications for service

Since 1975 Indo-Chinese refugees have come to Canada in many waves. They left wartorn motherlands where the society was predominantly agricultural and the traditional culture valued family relationships, spiritual equilibrium, harmony and simplicity. The new lands in which these refugees are seeking to re-establish their lives are highly industrialized, competitive and multi-cultural, and, moreover, base their communications on a very different language. In making such major re-adjustments in their way of life, it is inevitable that there be some failures and even casualties. This paper describes mental health problems as perceived by Vietnamese immigrants in Calgary. It is hoped that this small piece of work will help to promote the mutual understanding necessary for the successful integration of the Indo-Chinese refugees in general and the Vietnamese in particular into the mainstream of Canadian society.