A new multi-year research report, Sustaining Welcome: Longitudinal on Integration with Resettled Syrian Refugees, follows the integration journeys of over 200 resettled Syrian refugees living in British Columbia from 2017 to 2020.
Through regular annual interviews with participants, the researchers were able to track year-on-year changes in the social, economic, physical, and mental well-being of Syrian refugees. The report brought together academic experts, frontline workers, and practitioners—including psychologists, social scientists, geographers, and epidemiologists—to present one of the most comprehensive and nuanced assessments of post-arrival refugee experiences in BC to date.
Key insights from the report include:
💬 Language and Learning
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Language barriers remain a top challenge, especially for women and those with caregiving responsibilities.
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Progress in English language skills was one of the most celebrated successes, yet access to flexible classes and childcare remains crucial for ongoing learning.
💼 Employment and Income
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Employment rates rose from 29% in the first year to 42% by year four, showing evident progress.
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Many newcomers found work through family and community networks, highlighting the importance of social connections.
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Despite this progress, poverty remains a concern, with nearly half of participants relying on food or social assistance.
🏘️ Housing and Belonging
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Affordability remains one of the most significant pressures. Even those in social housing reported financial strain.
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Over time, participants’ sense of belonging to their neighbourhood, city, and country increased — a positive sign of integration.
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However, friendship networks shrank, particularly for women, contributing to isolation.
🧠 Health and Mental Well-Being
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Access to family doctors improved significantly, but digital barriers during the pandemic limited some people’s access to care.
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The report found that mental health declined over time, with depression symptoms three times higher than in the general Canadian population.
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Factors such as poverty, unemployment, limited social support, and being a woman were linked to a higher risk of depression.
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Early mental health struggles often persisted, underlining the need for long-term, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive support.
You can read the executive summary below:
Read the executive summary🌿 What This Means
The research makes one thing clear: integration doesn’t end after the first year.
Long-term settlement success depends on mental health, social belonging, and economic security.
The report calls for:
✅ Multi-year mental health and settlement supports
✅ Stronger bridges between communities
✅ Flexible programs for language and employment
✅ Continued attention to women’s experiences and inclusion
Therefore, longer-term mental health services are needed for refugees to support them in navigating both their pre-arrival traumas and post-arrival stresses.
In addition, more targeted employment and English-language programs are required to overcome the barriers women face in accessing services.
You can access the full report here.
