ME program designed to help Afghan refugees heal
For many young Afghan refugees arriving in Maine, experiences of violence, displacement, and uncertainty have led to significant mental health challenges. A new program through Catholic Charities Maine, highlighted by NPR’s Rhitu Chatterjee, offers a holistic approach to helping them heal and rebuild their lives.
As Chatterjee noted, these young people are grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, compounded by the difficulties of adjusting to life in a new country.
Maine’s Afghan Placement Program (APP) is designed to meet these challenges by providing trauma-informed care and culturally responsive mental health support. This program offers young refugees both individual and group therapy, giving them a safe space to process their experiences. Providers incorporate Afghan cultural traditions and values into their treatment plans to help build trust between the participants and therapists.
According to Chatterjee, the program also focuses on strengthening resilience through peer support and social engagement. “Having a trusted community space,” said one of the program coordinators, “helps young refugees realize that they are not alone in their struggles.”
The program goes beyond traditional therapy, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful social connections. Community events such as cooking workshops and cultural celebrations help participants feel more connected to one another and to the local community.
APP also works closely with schools and local organizations to ensure young refugees have access to educational opportunities and extracurricular activities—key elements in their long-term recovery and adjustment.
Additionally, language classes, job readiness training, and other support services aid participants in navigating their new environment with greater confidence.
Despite its successes, the program faces challenges. Limited funding, coupled with a growing demand for mental health services, highlights the importance of support from both public and private sectors.
Chatterjee said program staff members are advocating for more resources to assist the rising number of Afghan youth resettling in the state.