Dushanbe – A new study on the mental health of migrants in Tajikistan has found a gap in mental health services for returning migrants. 

The research – the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of migration on Tajik migrants’ mental health – was conducted by IOM Tajikistan and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan. 

It sets out to identify problems Tajik migrant workers face when seeking psychological care and looks at commonly-reported symptoms that could indicate mental distress. These often manifest through a wide range of symptoms, leaving possible mental health problems undetected. 

“The results, particularly somatic, affective, cognitive, and behavioural symptoms can be used by health care providers for their assessment and early diagnose of common mental health disorders”, says IOM Research Consultant Dr. Natalia Zotova. 

Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection, Dr. Shodikhon Jamshed notes: “Labour migration brings multiple benefits to migrants and their families, and contributes to positive macroeconomic, developmental, and demographic outcomes of sending and receiving countries. Despite its positive impact, the experience of living and working abroad entails numerous challenges that can have a negative impact on migrants’ physical and mental health”.  

The report Mental Health Problems of Tajik Returned Labour Migrants and Their Experiences Seeking Mental Health Care and Psychosocial Support is available in English. The Russian and Tajik versions of the report will be available in May 2023. This research was conducted as part of the project Returned Tajik Migrants: Promoting A Multi-Stakeholder Response to Mental Health and Disability Issues and was supported by IOM’s Development Fund. 

For more information, please contact: 

rqurbonova@iom.int,  +992 992 90 500 43 00