Home Institution

The University of Tulsa

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Program Name

Morocco: Migration and Transnational Identity

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 21st century, as Morocco transitions from solely being a transit point to Europe to becoming a destination country for Sub-Saharan migrants, policies have been implemented to improve migrant integration. Morocco launched the National Strategy on Immigration and Asylum in 2015 which strives to ensure accessibility to essential services for migrants, such as education, healthcare, and integration into the workforce. In addition, through the 2013 New Migration Policy framework, King Mohammed VI aims to “include avenues for regularization” to help migrants integrate into Moroccan society.

This paper addresses how intersecting factors of identity can lead to various challenges for Sub-Saharan migrant women when integrating into Moroccan society. The intersection of gender, religion, race, and being a migrant can lead them to face discrimination and exploitation in the workplace and within society which can subsequently affect their mental health. In this paper, I detail which barriers affect access to mental health services for this population. To collect my data, I conducted two in depth interviews with two NGOs, Mujeres en Zona de Conflicta (MZC) and Maroc Solidarité Médico-Sociale (MS2), that both focus on offering various services and support for migrants, specifically Sub-Saharan migrant women victims and survivors of gender-based violence. I interviewed five people in total including two psychologists, two mediators, and one social worker. They inform on which strategies organizations adopt to enhance accessibility and ensure mental health needs are addressed.

The findings show that improving migrants’ social determinants of health, such as increasing financial stability, can indirectly help migrants' mental health as one’s mental health and physical well-being are intertwined. Therefore, NGOs have a multifunctional role in supporting migrant groups as it is essential to address both aspects to ensure the success of the individual. In addition, information sessions can serve to reduce access barriers as many migrants come in not knowing the role of a psychologist or how they can benefit from therapeutic services. NGOs also talk about various therapy services and approaches that they offer which consist of one-on-one sessions and a non-traditional approach: art therapy. Art therapy provides migrants with a creative outlet and form of expression.

The research emphasizes the significance of fostering resilience and helping migrants visualize their future as it empowers them to face adversity, cope in difficult situations, and work toward preventing intergenerational and cyclical trauma. I recommend that NGOs continue to provide access to mental health resources, community support, and art therapy to work toward giving migrants the opportunity to focus on thriving rather than simply surviving. These interventions can serve as an assistance to eliminating mental health disparities.

Disciplines

Art Therapy | Counseling Psychology | Migration Studies | Peace and Conflict Studies | Politics and Social Change | Women's Studies

Download

Share

Article Location

 
COinS