As social workers who work directly with the subpopulation of immigrants and refugees that may be “vaccine hesitant,” we have an ethical responsibility to educate and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. There are several ways in which social workers can support them, including: providing accurate data in a comprehensible language and format, validating and addressing vaccine hesitancy, connecting individuals to vaccine resources, addressing logistical barriers to vaccine sites, advocating for equitable access, and offering a space for emotional support.

What emotions does the word “failure” elicit in you? Do you want to avoid the thoughts completely? In therapy, you can learn to challenge fearful associations, reframe experiences of ‘failure’ and decrease highly distressing emotional responses.

We still have much to learn about the unique experiences that children of immigrants go through and their long-term effects on our mental health. Our aim is to make our communities feel that their experiences are seen and accepted in wider conversations. By listening to each other's stories, we are better able to foster intergenerational healing and feel a greater sense of connection and resiliency.