Generational differences on Immigrant Teen mental health?

September 15, 2023. Written by Sahej Bhowmick

As society has progressed and cultural norms have shifted, I've frequently pondered whether the mental health struggles experienced by immigrant teenagers today differ from those of previous generations.

During one of the car rides with my mom, we generally chatted about how my generation is so different from hers. She said that there was less pressure to “fit in” and feel accepted by your peers in her days as a high schooler. My mom had to move around a lot when she was younger. My grandfather got posted in London for three years when she was in sixth grade so she had to move schools temporarily. That was her first experience out of India where she was born and raised. She felt out of place as a fresh teen, in a place where she did not know anyone or even understand the accent. She struggled to make friends in school and keep up with her academics. She made one good friend, her name was “Laura” and she was her saving grace. She finally had someone to sit down with during lunch and walk home after school. 

As a middle schooler my mom had to take a foreign language and she took French which she failed miserably. It was hard to cope up with the advanced math and science she got placed into as well as other subjects like art and english which were very different from what she was used to back home. Just as she started feeling comfortable calling London her new home, it was time to go back to India. And since she did not have the foundation for those subjects in India anymore, she found it challenging yet again to bridge the gap. 

When my mom was a junior, my grandparents decided to migrate to Canada. Once again, she had to go through the same experience except this time it was much worse. As teenagers, it's hard to make space for yourself when you don’t know anyone. People are less accepting of you and are quick to judge. It was no different then, and it's no different now. 

Reflecting on the evolution of societal norms and the challenges faced by immigrant teenagers, it's clear that the experiences of previous generations hold parallels to those of today. My mother's experiences as an immigrant teen, moving between countries and struggling to adapt, highlight the enduring nature of these challenges. Her difficulties in fitting in, making friends, and adjusting to new academic systems resonate with the experiences of immigrant teens today. Despite the passage of time and changes in cultural norms, the fundamental struggles of immigrant teenagers remain consistent, underscoring the need for ongoing support and understanding for this demographic.

This and many such conversations with my mom gave me an idea to have a platform for all immigrant kids to talk, share, get advice and more importantly, meet others like them in a welcoming environment.