Marathon for Refugee Mental Health

Hi everyone!

We are three friends from Germany and France.

In less than a month we'll be running our first ever (!) marathon in Frankfurt and want to take this opportunity to raise money for a cause we care about. 

While the Syrian tragedy no longer makes headline news, the so-called refugee "crisis" is far from over. With tens of thousands still trying to reach safe havens in Europe, much attention is rightly given to basic needs such as safe shelter, sanitation, food and legal aid. 

But less discussed is the enormous psychological impact of displacement on migrants and asylum seekers, many of whom have endured great hardship in their home countries; during their journey; and upon arrival in a foreign country.

Refugees, including children, have been shown to be at much higher risk of developing psychological disorders — such as PTSD, panic attacks, schizophrenia, anxiety or depression —  but are often in a situation where they might be culturally unable to express fear or other emotions (e.g. regarding sexual violence) or struggle to process such traumatic events without adequate help.

Yet, addressing these issues is widely considered critical to help migrants settle and integrate socially into a community.

We therefore wish to raise awareness about and support the work of two organizations, IPSO and Comede, that provide mental care to newcomers in the form of counseling.

IPSO is a Berlin based charity that offers "culturally sensitive, resilience- and resource-oriented psychosocial counseling for refugees in their own language to cope better with the transition to their new situation."

They also seek to train qualified refugees to become psychosocial counsellors who will be able to support people from their own culture.

Comede is a French charity that provides medical, psychological, social and legal support to refugees and asylum seekers, thrives to defend their social rights and promote access to care.

Please help us support the work of these important organizations.

Every donation makes a difference!

Nahema, Moritz & Tobi