Family dynamics strongly shape migration decisions and experiences, and migration itself affects family wellbeing. Families can serve as key sources of resilience, providing emotional, social, and economic support. At the same time, migration can disrupt family roles, structures, and support networks, impacting mental health of both migrants and family members left behind. This has been increasingly acknowledged in European and international research networks.

This webinar explores the interplay between family, migration, and mental health, presenting real-life cases from the East and Horn of Africa region with the concept of transnational family dynamics. On this basis it engages in a discussion on the need to integrate family-centered approaches into public health strategies and mental health interventions.

Format:
1)tIntroduction of a knowledge generation program on the topic of family, health, and migration, engaging researchers and health and social work practice experts from the Global North and the Global South.
2) Presentation of real-life cases from the East and Horn of Africa region, illustrating the interplay of family dynamics, migration and mental health.
3) Open discussion to reflect on the implications for public health: How can we better integrate family perspectives into mental health programming and interventions?