Living in a new country isn’t just about changing your address. It means changing your language, habits, social circle, daily values, how you make a living, and even how you talk about yourself. For thousands of Ukrainians who have settled in Edmonton—a city home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Canada—this process is particularly difficult, as the usual challenges of emigration are compounded by the consequences of war, separation from family, and traumatic experiences.
Mental health is neither a luxury nor a privilege. It is a basic need without which it is impossible to build a new life or fully care for loved ones. However, most people seek help too late—or only when their resources are already exhausted. This is partly due to cultural attitudes and partly to a lack of awareness of what exactly should be considered a warning sign. In this article, we discuss signs that people often ignore or dismiss as “fatigue,” “stress from moving,” or “temporary difficulties”—and where to find help in Edmonton.
Why Immigrants Are Particularly Vulnerable
Before discussing the signs, it’s important to understand the context. Research shows that anxiety and depression are more common among newcomers to Canada than among those born here: 26% and 20%, respectively, compared to 22% and 14% among native-born residents. Among immigrants in Alberta, the rates are even higher—anxiety and depression occur approximately 1.5 to 3 times more frequently than in the general population.
The reasons for this are well understood. Emigration brings with it what researchers call a “double grief”: a person leaves behind everything familiar—people, places, habits, status—and simultaneously finds themselves in an environment where they have to start all over again. For Ukrainians who left because of the war, this is compounded by traumatic experiences, anxiety for loved ones left behind, and a sense of unfinished business—because returning home remains uncertain.
Psychologists describe a specific condition characteristic of immigrants—Ulysses syndrome, or “emigrant syndrome.” This is not a mental disorder in the classical sense, but a natural psychological reaction to excessive chronic stress. Its symptoms include migraines, insomnia, constant anxiety, irritability, a sense of being lost, fatigue, pain in muscles and bones, and reduced productivity. Many Ukrainians in Edmonton are experiencing exactly this—and don’t even know that this condition has a name or that it can be addressed.
Sign #1: Anxiety That Won’t Go Away
Anxiety is one of the most common feelings among immigrants. It’s natural in the face of uncertainty. But there’s a fundamental difference between healthy caution, which helps you adapt, and anxiety that paralyzes you and gets in the way of living.
If you wake up in the morning with a heavy feeling in your chest—before you’ve even opened your eyes, before you know what day it is—that’s a sign. If the same thoughts keep going round and round in your head: about documents, about work, about the kids, about what’s happening back home—and you can’t stop them even when everything seems calm on the outside—that’s a sign. If you can’t relax during your downtime, if your body is always tense, if you feel anxious “about nothing in particular”—that’s also an important warning sign.
Heightened anxiety is not a personality trait. It’s a condition that can and should be addressed. Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, has proven effective in treating anxiety disorders. It’s important not to wait until anxiety escalates into panic attacks—sudden bouts of terror, heart palpitations, and a sense of impending disaster that defies logical explanation.
Sign #2: Persistent low mood and apathy
When a person says “I don’t care about anything” or “I don’t know why I don’t feel like doing anything”—this isn’t just a bad mood. It could be a symptom of depression or deep emotional burnout.
A characteristic sign is a loss of interest in things that used to bring pleasure. If you’ve stopped finding joy in things that used to inspire or entertain you—music, socializing, walks, your favorite food—and this has lasted more than two weeks, it’s worth paying attention to. When this is accompanied by a feeling that everything around you is “gray,” that there is nothing good in the future, and that effort is pointless—these are classic signs of a depressive state.
It is very important not to confuse depression with a “bad attitude” or “weakness.” Depression is a medical condition caused by biochemical changes in the brain, stress, and traumatic experiences. It doesn’t go away “if you just pull yourself together.” Moreover, among immigrants in Alberta who arrived in the last five years, approximately 27% report symptoms of depression. Early access to psychological support increases the chances of successful integration by 60%.
Sign Three: Sleep Disturbances
Sleep is one of the most sensitive indicators of mental health. When the mind is overwhelmed, it is first reflected in sleep: difficulty falling asleep, thoughts that won’t shut off; waking up in the middle of the night with anxiety or a racing heart; waking up in the morning not rested, but exhausted, as if you hadn’t slept at all.
Insomnia can be a symptom of an anxiety disorder, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a particularly common problem among those who have experienced war, evacuation, or violence. Its symptoms include intrusive memories (so-called “flashbacks”), nightmares, heightened vigilance, avoidance of reminders of traumatic events, and emotional numbness. According to research, over 40% of refugees experience symptoms of PTSD.
If sleep disturbances last longer than a few weeks and interfere with daily functioning, this is a compelling reason to seek help. Especially if, along with sleep problems, concentration, memory, and decision-making abilities are deteriorating.
Sign Four: Physical Symptoms Without an Obvious Medical Cause
The mind and body are inextricably linked. When a person suppresses emotions for a long time or is under chronic stress, the body begins to “speak” for them—through pain, discomfort, and physical weakness.
Among the most common psychosomatic symptoms in immigrants are headaches, muscle and joint pain, a feeling of tightness in the chest, gastrointestinal issues (chronic nausea, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome), dizziness, and a feeling of weakness. If you have repeatedly visited a doctor with similar complaints but no organic cause has been found—perhaps your body needs not only medical but also psychological help.
Ulysses syndrome, mentioned above, manifests precisely through a combination of physical and psychological symptoms without a clear “diagnosis.” General practitioners sometimes fail to recognize this condition, so it’s important to pay attention yourself to the connection between your emotional state and your physical well-being.
Sign Five: Sudden Mood Swings and Increased Irritability
Another sign that is easy to “explain to yourself”: snapping at loved ones, sudden tears, and outbursts of anger that seem to arise for no reason. Or, conversely, sudden coldness and detachment where there used to be warmth.
Sudden mood swings are a sign of emotional exhaustion or internal conflict. When a person holds too much inside for too long—fear, grief, resentment, uncertainty—it eventually “bursts out” at the most unpredictable moment. Increased irritability, the feeling that “I’m sick of everything,” that “I just want everyone to leave me alone”—these are classic symptoms of emotional burnout.
Burnout develops particularly quickly among immigrants because, in addition to the usual sources of stress (work, family, daily life), there is the constant need to adapt: learning the language, navigating new systems (healthcare, education, finance), and overcoming the language barrier in every situation. Studies in Alberta show that 30% of newcomers experience significant psychological distress during their first year in the country.
Sign Six: Social Isolation and Withdrawal
Humans are social beings. We need connections, relationships, and community. But emigration disrupts our usual social circle, and rebuilding it is no easy task, especially when faced with language and cultural barriers.
If you notice that you’re increasingly avoiding socializing—even with people you know; that you’re turning down invitations; that you’ve stopped responding to messages; that you find it hard to even talk on the phone—this is a serious warning sign. Self-isolation can be a symptom of depression, social anxiety, or the result of a traumatic experience.
Language barriers, cultural differences, and alienation in a new country often lead a person to feel like an “outsider” even among other people. If left unaddressed, this alienation deepens psychological problems, increases stress levels, and can become the foundation for chronic depression. The lack of social support is one of the most significant factors contributing to the deterioration of immigrants’ mental health.
Sign Seven: Relationship Difficulties and Family Conflicts
Emigration is a serious stress test for any relationship. Partners may adapt to the new environment differently, have different expectations, and react differently to difficulties. Parents and children may find themselves in different “cultural realities”—where children quickly pick up the new language and integrate, while parents feel dependent and helpless.
If you’re facing relationship challenges—with your partner, children, or parents—and feel you can no longer resolve them on your own, that’s also a reason to seek help. A psychologist can help you identify behavioral patterns in your relationships, learn to set and maintain personal boundaries, and find common ground with loved ones when everyone is going through their own version of an adjustment crisis.
Special attention should be paid to children. Children, as a rule, do not speak directly about psychological problems—they “show” them through their behavior: sudden changes in behavior at school, regression (a return to earlier childhood behaviors), night terrors, refusal to eat, aggression, or, conversely, excessive withdrawal. Researchers note that PTSD among refugees “clusters” within families—that is, the parents’ condition directly affects the children’s psychological state.
Sign Eight: Decreased Productivity and Problems at Work
Work is one of the key areas where psychological state manifests itself very clearly. If you notice that it has become difficult for you to concentrate, that simple tasks require extraordinary effort, that you make mistakes more often, or that you find it hard to make even simple decisions—this may indicate cognitive impairments related to stress or depression.
A decline in the quality of work performance is one of the most “visible” signs of mental health issues. At the same time, people often attribute this to “lack of sleep,” “a bad mood,” or “temporary difficulties”—and do not connect it to their psychological state. Meanwhile, chronic stress impairs memory, attention, and planning ability—that is, precisely the functions most needed for successful work and adaptation in a new country.
Sign Nine: Alcohol or Substance Abuse
Alcohol, tobacco, and excessive use of sedatives—all of these can be a way to “drown out” the pain or at least feel temporary relief. But in reality, these substances only deepen the psychological problem rather than solving it.
If you notice that your alcohol consumption has increased since moving, or that you’re drinking more often “to relax” or “to fall asleep”—this is a warning sign. Researchers also note increased tobacco and alcohol use among the symptoms of Ulysses syndrome. Addiction develops gradually and imperceptibly—which is why it’s important to notice these changes early and seek help before the behavior becomes a chronic habit.
Sign Ten: A Traumatic Experience
If you have experienced combat, the loss of loved ones, violence, prolonged exposure to dangerous conditions, or forced evacuation—you already have a compelling reason to see a psychologist, even if you feel “normal” right now. Trauma doesn’t always manifest immediately. Sometimes the mind “puts off” processing it until later—and symptoms appear months or even years after the event.
A key sign of PTSD is when memories of the event keep coming back, as if it just happened. Flashbacks, nightmares, avoiding certain places, sounds, or situations that remind you of the trauma, heightened “alertness” (the feeling that you need to be on guard all the time)—all of these are symptoms that psychotherapy successfully addresses. There are specialized methods—EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy—that have proven effective specifically in addressing the effects of war trauma.
Researchers from Médecins Sans Frontières working in Ukraine have documented the scale of the problem: in 2023 alone, the organization’s psychologists provided over 8,000 consultations across seven different regions of the country. Displaced families—especially women with children who have ended up abroad—exhibit pronounced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related stress.
A Special Situation: “Emigrant Syndrome” and Stages of Adaptation
It is worth discussing separately what happens to one’s mental state during the various stages of adapting to a new environment. Researchers identify several typical stages: first, euphoria (the first 1–2 months), when everything new seems exciting. Then comes the orientation stage (1–3 months), when the first real difficulties begin to emerge. Next is the depressive stage (3–6 months), accompanied by apathy, confusion, and a sense of isolation. Then comes gradual integration (from 6 months to 2 years), and finally—full adaptation.
The most dangerous moment is the depressive stage, when the euphoria has passed but stability has not yet set in. It is during this time that a person is most susceptible to developing anxiety and depressive disorders, especially if there is no adequate social support. By being aware of these stages, you can prepare for them—and seek help in time, rather than waiting until the situation worsens.
Where to Get Mental Health Support in Edmonton
Edmonton has an extensive network of resources to support the mental health of immigrants—and some of them are available for free or at a reduced cost.
Ukrainian-speaking psychologists and psychotherapists
For those who value speaking their native language, there are several registered professionals in Edmonton:
- Dr. Oxana Evans (RPsych, PsyD) — a clinical psychologist with 13 years of experience. She specializes in depression, stress, burnout, trauma, grief, and family issues. She speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Phone: 825-786-4768.
- Sasha Simcisin (MC, RPsych) — a psychologist who speaks Ukrainian. Works with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and navigating life transitions. Phone: 587-406-6039.
- Petro Palykhata (MA, RPsych) — a licensed psychologist who speaks Ukrainian and Russian. Sees adults, adolescents, couples, and families. Phone: 587-317-6211.
- Hanna Brechka (MSW, RSW) — a social worker with experience in grief, domestic violence, and mental health. Phone: 587-816-4126.
- Innerlouge Therapy & Psychology — a clinic offering psychotherapy services in Ukrainian. Phone: 587-847-4010.
Free and Subsidized Services
For those in financial need, free options are available:
- United Cultures of Canada Association (UCCA) — free psychological support for immigrants of all ages, including children and adolescents. They accept clients who speak Ukrainian. Phone: 780-756-3979.
- Edmonton Newcomer Centre — therapeutic and counseling services for newcomers. Phone: 780-424-7709.
- Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers — a support program for trauma survivors. Also offers the Emotional Resilience Workshop — a workshop on developing resilience and stress management skills.
24/7 Hotlines
- Alberta Mental Health Line: 1-877-303-2642 (available 24/7, 7 days a week, with translation into over 100 languages, including Ukrainian).
- Health Link (Alberta Health Services): 811 (medical and mental health advice 24/7).
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Kids Help Phone (for children and youth aged 5 to 29): 1-800-668-6868 or text
CONNECTto 686868 (free, 24/7). - Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7).
Interpretation and Language Support
If you want to get mental health support through public services but have difficulty with English, Alberta Health Services provides free interpreters. To use this service, simply ask for a Ukrainian interpreter when scheduling your appointment. If needed, you can also contact the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) for language bank services: 780-474-8445.
When to Act Immediately
There are situations where you shouldn’t wait—you need to act right away. If you or a loved one is having thoughts like “I wish I weren’t here” or thoughts of harming yourself, this is a crisis and requires immediate attention. Don’t wait for a “better moment” or assume “it will go away on its own.”
Call Talk Suicide Canada (1-833-456-4566) or 911 if there is an immediate threat of danger. These services are available 24/7, free of charge, and you can speak through an interpreter.
Seeking help is a sign of courage, not weakness
In closing, it’s worth reminding you of something that’s often forgotten: seeing a psychologist isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a sign that you’re taking responsibility for your health and your future. People who receive psychological support in a timely manner integrate into their new country much more successfully, maintain relationships with loved ones, and stay healthy for years to come.
If you live in Edmonton and feel that any of the above applies to you—don’t wait until things get “really bad.” Seek help now, because right here, in this city, there are people who speak your language and understand what you’ve been through.