Community-engaged family-based healthy aging program to promote social and mental health among older adults refugees in Massachusetts

Refugees bear disproportionately high mental health problems due to exposure to violence, family separation, and exile but under-utilize mental health services. Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused additional mental health crises and isolation, with access to health care out of reach for many refugees. Proactive alternative strategies need to be developed to reach refugees to promote their social and mental health. In this COVID-19 pandemic era, a culturally tailored intervention that addresses psycho-sociocultural stressors, cultural adaptation, and ongoing psycho-social difficulties holds the most promise.

This grant, led by Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar from the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and Dr. Krishna Poudel from the Department of Health Promotion and Policy, is aimed at Bhutanese refugees aged 50 and above resettled in Massachusetts who will be selected for this project in collaboration with the Bhutanese Christian Society of Western Massachusetts. Funds will be used to implement a social and emotional well-being program amongst this group using a community-based participatory research approach guided by community interest. The overall goal is to promote health aging by reducing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and improving copping skills, self-efficacy, social support, health, and self-management behaviors.