Relocation can impact your mental health

Moving to a new country is often perceived as exciting news for couples, their families and friends, especially in this trying period. However, amidst the joy, they often fail to prioritise their mental health during the transition.

Studies have linked relocation with feelings of uncertainty, stress and isolation which can lead to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in one or both couples.

Moving abroad can have a massive impact on your well-being, therefore understanding that you can develop mental health conditions through various circumstances can help you recognise the triggers when they manifest and seek help immediately.

Climate changes
The weather has proved to have a positive and negative effect on people’s lives in general. However, moving from an extremely warm country to a very cold one can cause a massive change in your mood and happiness. Moving to a new country during the winter season can cause a decrease in your body’s production of serotonin, leaving the body feeling weary which can cause you or your spouse to feel moody and depressed.

Overcrowding

One of the challenges couples often face when moving abroad is finding suitable accommodation as new settlers and not being able to rent until certain documents are validated which can take a short or long time.
This can mean living with a family or friend for a while until they can rent their place. This arrangement can mean living in an overcrowded condition which can expose you to an uncomfortable and risky situation leading to unpleasant encounters. This can trigger your anxiety making you feel insecure and vulnerable, and developing depressive symptoms.

Financial burden
The financial burden of relocation abroad can have more impact on the man than the woman especially if he left his good-paying job to seek an uncertain greener pasture. Women are known to have the capacity to figure things out and may have savings put away as emergency funds without the knowledge of their partner.

Studies show that men are twice as likely to feel the financial pressure as they feel the burden to take practical charge in time of crisis than their other half and this can trigger their stress level, causing depression and other mental health issues.

Isolation

Some people find it exceedingly difficult to strive in an unfamiliar territory and this can take a long time to restore especially if their mind and heart are still in their home country. Living away from the things and people you love can have an adverse impact on your health and well-being.

A newly married woman who is compelled to relocate with her husband away from her family who should be supporting her through her new journey may experience signs of mental health through the separation.
A man can also feel a loss of self-worth and traumatic tendencies if he must leave his comfort and social circles behind to become a stay-at-home dad for a while in an unfamiliar country. This can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and other behavioural changes including heavy drinking to suppress his feelings.

Note

Despite all the global conversation around mental health, this condition is often considered a stigma and a personal failure in our society which has remained a silent battle too.