Glossary
Adjustment disorder
A condition that can appear in the months following a stressful event (arriving in a new country, losing a loved one or your job, etc.). An adjustment disorder causes distress and can affect a person’s ability to function at school, at work or in society. It usually lasts a maximum of 6 months.
Allophone
A person whose first language or language spoken at home is not one of the official languages of the country they live in.
Anxiety
An emotional and physical reaction triggered by a future event that is seen as stressful or negative. It can take the form of a racing heart, intrusive thoughts or cold sweats. Unlike fear, which is a response to real danger, anxiety occurs when there is no concrete threat. For example, it appears if you are concerned about a loved one’s health, even if nothing worrying has happened. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is too intense and affects your ability to function. See Anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorder
A condition characterized by excessive and persistent fear or worry. Anxiety can take the form of physical symptoms (heart racing, cold sweats, trouble breathing, etc.) and affect a person’s daily functioning. There are several types of anxiety disorder, each with its own characteristics (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, etc.).
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
A condition characterized by trouble concentrating, staying organized and paying attention. This condition can also involve restlessness and trouble sitting still or following instructions. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often appears in childhood at school. Early intervention helps limit the consequences.
Bachelor’s degree
A university degree awarded after completing an undergraduate program, usually 90 credits.
Community counsellor
A social services professional that can support families experiencing personal or social difficulties. Community counsellors often work at community organizations with a specific mission (help settling in, finding a job, etc.). They can help you overcome the challenges you are facing and direct you to the social services you need.
Culture shock
A stress (see Stress) and disorientation reaction caused by entering an environment very different than your own. It is caused by a strong sense of upheaval and loss of familiarity when confronted with differences (ways of doing things or ways of thinking, food, etc.). This reaction may occur after you arrive and be accompanied by fatigue, stomach pain or the feeling that you need to withdraw. It gets better as you adjust to your new environment.
Depression
A condition characterized by persistent and intense sadness, loss of interest and low energy. This condition makes daily activities more difficult (eating, getting up in the morning, interacting with others, etc.). The term depression is used to refer to several types of depression (major depression, seasonal depression, postpartum depression, etc.).
Distress
An extreme reaction characterized by suffering and very strong negative emotions (sadness, confusion, despair, anxiety, fatigue, etc.). It can occur after a major unexpected event (for example, the sudden loss of a loved one) or in very stressful situations (for example, an oral presentation). Persistent signs of distress may lead you to develop a mental illness. See Mental illness.
Family doctor
A health professional, also known as a general practitioner, that performs medical examinations, provides diagnoses and treats common issues (infections, minor injuries, etc.). Family doctors monitor chronic illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, etc.) and can prescribe medications and refer you to a specialist. For mental health, they can diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe treatments and refer patients to specialists for an evaluation or monitoring.
Feeling blue
A generally short-lived reaction caused by an unfortunate situation that causes sadness (family dispute, cold Québec winter, etc.). This reaction can make you feel discouraged and lose your energy and enjoyment. Feeling blue becomes a problem if the emotions you are feeling are preventing you from functioning normally. See Depression.
Feeling isolated
The state or impression of being alone, whether by choice or not. This feeling may be imposed on you, depending on the circumstances and situations you experience. In the context of immigration, geographical distance and having less contact with your loved ones can make this feeling worse. Being too isolated can have a negative impact on your mental health. See Social isolation.
Feeling like you belong
The feeling of being accepted and recognized as a member of a group, community or society. For immigrants and refugees, this feeling can involve staying connected to your culture or community of origin. This can also involve feeling at home and included in your new society.
Healthy lifestyle habits
Day-to-day behaviours a person practises regularly to maintain or improve their health. Healthy lifestyle habits include diet, sleep, physical activity and other aspects of daily life. These habits affect a person’s physical and mental health. For example, a balanced diet can boost your energy and mood, whereas poor sleep can interfere with recovery and increase stress.
Host organization
A community organization authorized by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) to support government-assisted refugees during their settlement process in Québec (for example, finding housing, opening a bank account, looking for a job, enrolling in French language courses, etc.).
Human relations officer
A social services professional who provides support to individuals, couples or families facing various challenges. Human relations officers (HROs) can support people experiencing violence, addiction, psychological distress or trouble adjusting after challenging events. They generally work at local community service centres (CLSCs).
Medical specialist
A health professional with medical training who specializes in a specific area of medicine. Like a family doctor, they can prescribe medications and provide diagnoses. For example, psychiatrists are doctors that specialize in mental health and mental illness.
Mental health
Mental health is a person’s level of mental well-being at a given time. This level changes over time based on your experiences, living conditions and the emotions associated with them. Sometimes, we feel good, satisfied and confident. But other times, we also go through more stressful and difficult periods when we feel depressed and discouraged.
Mental illness
A mental health condition that affects your thoughts, emotions, behaviours and body. It can make daily life harder and may cause distress. Mental illness is challenging to assess. Health and social service professionals are trained to recognize the signs of mental illness and provide the right support. Getting care quickly can help prevent complications.
Nurse
A health professional that evaluates a person’s physical and mental condition. Nurses can administer prescription drugs, vaccines and tests. They can also provide care and treatments and test for some diseases. For mental health, specialized nurse practitioners (SNPs) can provide diagnoses and support.
Pharmacist
A health professional that prepares and dispenses prescription drugs. Pharmacists can also provide tips on how to use medications properly and prescribe them for minor ailments. For mental health, they can provide information to help you understand medications, take them properly and manage any side effects.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
A condition characterized by strong and persistent reactions that occur after direct or indirect exposure to a traumatic event (near-death experience, serious injury, sexual violence, etc.). This condition can cause flashbacks, nightmares, getting startled easily, irritability and trouble sleeping. Post-traumatic stress disorder can have a negative impact on a person’s daily life.
Psychologist
A social services professional that evaluates your psychological functioning and mental health. Psychologists can provide mental health tips, interventions or treatments (like psychotherapy). For example, they can help you navigate a difficult event, cope with stress or communicate better.
Psychotherapist
A social services professional authorized to provide psychotherapy, a psychological treatment used to help people understand themselves better and overcome challenges to improve their well-being. Psychotherapists can be doctors, psychologists, social workers or sexologists.
Refugees
People with refugee status under the Geneva Convention (1951). In Canada, refugees have been recommended by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or another country, or have had their asylum application approved after it was filed locally.
Resilience
The ability to cope with intense stress, adapt and grow despite the challenges you face. In an immigration context, it involves taking concrete action like learning a new language, building a new support system or confronting discrimination.
Seasonal depression
A temporary condition associated with winter that is characterized by feeling blue or anxious. The cold, lack of natural light and less time spent outside can all contribute to this.
Self-compassion
A way of being that is based on listening to yourself and being kind to yourself about the emotions you feel and even the difficulties you face. It involves paying attention to your needs and speaking to or supporting yourself like you would a friend. This way of relating to yourself can contribute to your well-being.
Sexologist
A health and social services professional that evaluates sexual behaviour and development. Sexologists support individuals and couples experiencing sexual difficulties (sexual disorders, sexual development and sex life, associated psychosocial issues, etc.). They can provide a safe space to talk about sexual difficulties, assess your needs and help you identify solutions.
Social isolation
Life circumstances characterized by a lack of satisfying or quality social relationships. Social isolation can have a negative impact on your well-being.
Social worker
A social services professional that supports people in difficulty (family, personal or workplace challenges, etc.) or in precarious situations (violence, poverty, etc.). They can support you and direct you to the right services (for example, help finding a job). For mental health, these professionals can provide a safe space to talk about challenges and help you identify solutions.
Sponsor
A person or group of people who commits to supporting a sponsored person and any family members who are accompanying them.
Stress
A normal reaction to a new or important situation (a departure, an exam, etc.). Stress can take the form of tension or worry. Your body goes into high alert to help you react and adjust. Generally, this reaction disappears when the situation is over.
Support system
The people and resources a person can count on. This includes family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. The quality of a person’s relationships and the availability and variety of forms of support (informational, emotional, etc.) count more than the number of people. A good support system contributes to a person’s well-being.
Union
An association that works to improve the working conditions of its members and defend their rights.
Volunteering
A voluntary, unpaid activity in which people freely give their time, energy and skills to help their community.