Promoting resilience and mental well-being among immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on the lives and mental health of individuals across the globe. Due to language barriers and social, economic, and cultural factors, these challenges were amplified for immigrants to Canada during the pandemic, putting them in an increasingly vulnerable position.

The objective

Of the study was to document the challenges experienced, the impacts on mental health, and other aspects of life, and support immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging new immigrants, using a virtual platform that offered a new approach for collaboration.

Methodology

Taking a community-based research approach in collaboration with the Regina Immigrant Women Center, 14 language-assisted discussion sessions were hosted virtually between July 2020 and April 2021. The sessions covered credible and current public health measures, and participants collectively discussed strategies to address upcoming challenges posed by the pandemic. Discussion on daily life challenges imposed by the pandemic and solutions implemented served as data.

Results

Thematic analysis of participants’ perspectives highlighted the impact of social isolation on all age groups. Overall, participants mentioned considerable mental stress amplified by uncertainty, fear of infections, and social isolation. Negative influences of social media and technology use on mental well-being were highlighted. Participants suggested various coping strategies, including religious and spiritual practices, connecting virtually, expressing gratitude, positive self-talk, self-love, and self-care for mental well-being. Participants also shared lessons learned and insights discovered during the pandemic.

Conclusion

The interactive virtual discussion sessions helped maintain social connectedness, provided support and a sense of community for immigrants, enhancing resilience, and positively impacting mental wellness. Language-assisted virtual discussion sessions can support immigrants during a health emergency.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-025-03658-0.

Introduction

The COVID-19 Pandemic created unprecedented health, social, and economic crises for countries, families, and individuals across the globe and in Canada [1–4]. Many stringent public health measures, such as social distancing, travel restrictions, and reduction or closure of in-person services, were implemented to contain the spread of infection and control mortality rates in Canada [5, 6]. The fear of infection, death, economic uncertainty, and social isolation significantly affected the mental health of Canadians [1, 2, 7]. Along with the Indigenous population, those with pre-existing comorbidities, socially and economically marginalized populations, immigrants, and refugees were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic in Canada [1, 8–11]. Immigrants, particularly newcomers, experienced harsher consequences than the native-born population during the peak of the pandemic [8–10, 12]. Further, restrictive public health measures, lack of supportive social networks, language barriers, socioeconomic challenges, and cultural differences led to social isolation, increasing risks for mental health issues for immigrants [9, 10, 13, 14].

Although Canada does not gather race-based data, visible minorities in Ontario (the province with the highest immigrant concentration) had three times higher COVID-19 infection rates and twice the COVID-19-related deaths [15]. The work and living arrangements of immigrants increased the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with most working frontline jobs and living in crowded multigenerational homes, making it difficult to maintain physical distance and quarantine [9, 15, 16]. Language barriers and social, economic, and cultural factors further contributed to negative health outcomes. Negative effects of the pandemic on the mental health of immigrants were observed in Canada and other countries [10, 13, 17–20]. The impacts were further amplified among the elderly, women, and those without permanent immigration status [12, 14, 20, 21]. The objective of the study was to explore challenges experienced, document the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and other aspects of life for immigrants, and provide support by engaging new immigrants through a virtual platform that offered a new approach for collaboration.

Methods

Setting

Regina Immigrant Women Centre (RIWC) is a federally and provincially funded community organization providing resettlement support, language training, family support, and employment programs for approximately 1800 immigrants to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, annually. In compliance with the public health directives, RIWC shifted all programming to virtual platforms during the pandemic, creating further barriers for those unfamiliar with virtual platforms. Consultation with the Executive Director (ED) at RIWC indicated that immigrants were experiencing considerable challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A community-based research approach [22] was used to design and implement the research process in collaboration with Regina Immigrant Women Centre (RIWC), a trusted community organization serving immigrants in Regina. The research team, consisting of ED (RIWC), health researchers, family physicians, and infectious disease specialists, collectively decided to document the experiences of immigrants through open discussion sessions as the pandemic unfolded and employ the lessons learned for future program delivery. Leveraging the previously developed research partnership [23–25], the first author, a research scientist at Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA: PhD, female), in collaboration with the team, identified the research plan, data collection methods, and discussion topics. The RIWC-ED served as a co-investigator on the ethics application. In partnership with the RIWC program staff, language interpreters, and research assistants, discussion sessions were hosted by the first author during RIWC program times using the Zoom platform. The study was approved by the local Research Ethics Board (REB 20–61).

Procedure

 The group sessions were paired with virtual English language classes offered to immigrants. Employing a convenience sampling approach, all participants attending the virtual English Language classes were invited to participate in the study. Participants were informed about the first author’s professional background, the purpose of the discussion session and that the information they shared would be treated as data. Verbal consent was requested from each participant at each session by the RIWC staff and language interpreters co-facilitating the discussion sessions. Each session started with a 10-minute presentation highlighting the current public health measures implemented in the province, followed by 50 min of open discussion. Taking a conversational approach [26], the facilitators encouraged participants to share their perspectives on three topics: (1) challenges participants were facing, (2) solutions implemented to address challenges, and (3) lessons learned and insights gained. The facilitator, research assistant, and language interpreter actively participated in the discussion topics, sharing their perspective. Participants were free to provide their perspective or just listen to the conversation. Facilitators wrote down key discussion points, compiling them and identifying key discussion points after each session. The facilitators addressed any additional questions that arose during the discussions, in consultation with clinicians on the team, and/or referred participants to relevant, credible information sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and the SHA. Fourteen-hour-long discussion sessions were hosted between July 2020 and April 2021. As requested by participants, two discussion sessions out of the 14 were focused on mental health and wellness specifically (Figure. ).

Fig. 1.

Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learned, building resilience and emergency preparedness

Further, to ensure all participants had an opportunity to share their views, one additional Zoom focus group and 12 additional telephonic individual interviews with senior participants were carried out by the first author with assistance from two RIWC language interpreters supporting the project. These additional data collection events provided opportunities for participants to provide additional information and clarify any points discussed before. Data saturation was achieved, and no additional participants were recruited. All focus groups and interview participants consented verbally and provided their perspectives on the three discussion points. The focus group and interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Participants

Forty-nine participants, 20 years or older, whose maximum stay in Canada was five years or less, attended the discussion session. Of the 49 participants, 22 participated in the additional focus group, and 6 Mandarin-speaking seniors and 6 Arabic-speaking individuals participated in the additional interviews. Table 1 highlights participant demographic information.

Table 1.

Demographic of participants (n=49)

Age groups	N (%)
18–29 years	8 (16)
30–49 years	18 (37%)
50–59 years	5 (10%)
60 years and above	18 (37%)

Sex	N (%)
Male	18 (37%)
Female	31(63%)

Marital status	N (%)
Married	39 (80%)
Single	7 (14%)
Widowed	3 (6%)

Children	N (%)
No children	9 (18%)
1–2 children	22 (45%)
3–5	16 (33%)
More than 5	2 (4%)

Employment status	N (%)
Working	15 (31%)
Not employed	5 (10%)
Part-time	11 (22%)
retired	18 (37%)

Language proficiency	N (%)
Required language interpreter	18 (37%)
Canadian Language Benchmark 1–7: Low English Language proficiency	31 (63%)

Family structure	N (%)
Living with adult children	18 (37%)
Living with spouse and children	24 (49%)
Living alone	7 (14%)

Country of Origin	N (%)
China	15 (30%)
India	18 (40%)
Iran	7 (10%)
Other (Korea, Ukraine, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Poland)	9 (20%)

Analysis

Data were analyzed using NVivo version 9 [27], following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework [28]. These steps include: familiarisation with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the report. The first author began by immersing herself in the data, reviewing detailed notes from the virtual discussion sessions and transcribing audio recordings from the focus group and individual interviews. These materials were compiled into a master dataset to ensure consistency. Through line-by-line coding, meaningful data segments were identified and assigned initial codes. These codes were then grouped into broader categories to identify patterns and emerging themes. To enhance analytical rigour and reduce bias, two additional researchers (a PhD, male and a registered nurse, female) who were not involved in data collection reviewed the codes independently and contributed to theme development. The team then used visual mapping techniques to refine and define the final themes (Figure 1), after which they were validated by all co-authors, including community partners (Table 2). Thereby ensuring that the analysis authentically reflected participants’ experiences, and guaranteeing the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. Community partners served as co-authors.

Table 2.

Data map outline of main themes, sub-themes and base codes

Main theme	Sub-themes	Intermediate-codes
Negative impacts of COVID-19	Lockdown	Transportation
		Shopping
		Physical Activity
		Anxiety
		Supporting sick relatives
		Uncertainty
		Lack of support
	Concerns with masking	Safety for children
		Impacts of prolonged masking
	Concerns surrounding vaccines	Safety
		Travel restrictions
Impacts of Social Isolation	Seniors	Mental health
	Children	Development
		Management
		Wellbeing
	Adults	Career development
		Health impacts
		Social media news
		Socialization
Managing pandemic-induced stress	Self-care	Physical activity
		Daily routine
		Positive self-talk
		Staying engaged
		Orderliness and organization
	Implementing public health measures	Masking
		Vaccine information
		Vaccine experience
	Tapping into community resources	Supporting neighbors
		Reconnecting with culture
		Support during loss
		Group support
	Exploiting technology	Keeping current with information
		communication
		Participation in social events
Insights and Lessons Learned	Insights	Inner strength and positive attitude
	Resilience	Bigger picture
		Patience
		Building self- capacity
		Faith in a higher power
	Gratitude	Health safety
		Health benefits
		Hobbies
		Technology advancement
		Professional development
		Strength-based mindset

Results

The discussion session carried out with the study participants through a digital platform generated four key themes, namely: (1) the negative impacts of COVID-19; (2) the impacts of social isolation. (3) managing pandemic-induced stress, and (4) insights and lessons learned.

Negative impacts of COVID-19

Several public health directives such as lockdown, social distancing, masking and vaccines

were implemented to contain the spread of the virus, which affected the daily lives of people across the globe.

Lockdown

The fear of the contagion, coupled with the public health measures of lockdown, limited mundane daily activities. Two participants mentioned challenges with transportation and shopping: “Transportation is very hard during COVID [pm3], Shopping and going out to the mall is very limited”[pm1]. Describing safety measures being implemented, a participant mentioned:

“We are more careful than before; if possible, we will avoid stores and going outside. If I have to go to stores, I will wear masks and gloves, I’ll rinse my mouth, and take a shower. We open our windows every day for fresh air.”[sp2].

Restrictions imposed on visitors in hospitals for infection control created additional stress for family members supporting sick relatives, as a participant mentioned:

“My husband was sick and had to be hospitalized, but I was not allowed to see him. He needed family members to support him, but due to COVID, he couldn’t have that.”[pf6].

The disruption in daily life, boredom, and future uncertainties caused mental anguish, especially for those without sufficient supportive networks, and many suffered in silence. A few participants mentioned: “I am bored and lonely,”[pm2]; “I am worried about someone in the family getting COVID,”[pf2]. Concerned about future outcomes, a participant mentioned: “We do not know what will happen.”[pm4]. Social distancing and the stringent public health measures had a considerable negative influence on new immigrants. Pandemic-induced stress persisted as the pandemic progressed. The importance of social interaction was highlighted in neumorous times during the discussion. A participant mentioned:

“All the protocol is good. It keeps us safe, but the hardest thing is staying away from our friends. Being a newcomer, I have no family support, and friends that we have made here are the only ones to connect with and understand what we are going through here”[pf20].

Masks

Participants complied with all PHAC directives, including masking. However, conflicting messaging about the effectiveness of masks in limiting the spread of the virus, including recommendations on the kind of masks, raised concerns. A participant questioned: “How long can we wear masks, and is it good for our health when good air is not coming in, and bad air is not going out? Will there be health problems due to that?”[pf7]. As schools reopened, parents were concerned about the safety of their children. A participant asked: “Is it safe for children to return to school? How can children keep masks on?”[pf11]. Masking allowed individuals to resume some activities; however, balancing social isolation with safety was challenging, adding to the existing stress.

Vaccines

The discovery of the vaccine brought much-awaited relief. However, many concerns and questions remained unanswered. Overpublicized cases of adverse reactions and fear of the unknown created stress. Concerned about vaccine availability, effectiveness, and safety, a participant mentioned.

“We may not see the side effects in 6 months, but how do we know that it is not causing changes in the body or causing some long-term genetic problem which we do not know about now? What about if it causes damage to the organs or changes the genetic makeup and causes issues that are passed on in generations?”[pm9].

Documentation of vaccines and their influence on travel overseas was still unknown during the initial phase of vaccine implementation, which raised further questions. A participant asked: “If I get the vaccine here [Canada], will they accept it in other countries? Will they put it in my passport?” [pm5].

Impacts of social isolation

Social isolation that ensued from social distancing influenced all age groups, leading to various physical, mental, and social implications.

Seniors

Alternate living arrangements made to protect the elderly disrupted established family structure and social supports, further isolating them and negatively impacting their mental well-being. A participant mentioned.

“After staying at home for a long time, I felt bored and lonely. I am worried about getting COVID-19. We live independently now. We used to live together, but my daughter was afraid my grandchildren would get COVID-19 and make us sick. I am worried about them being kids and parents at the same time. I am worried they will get COVID; Social isolation is bad;”[sp12].

Children

Negative effects on language and cognitive development observed among young children were attributable to a lack of socializing with other children in school or daycare. A mother observing the effects of social isolation on her toddler mentioned, “Staying home affected my toddler, and the child experienced delayed speech. His speech was delayed because he was not able to interact with others, even with his therapist.”[pf15] Another parent, noting the negative effects of the lockdown on children, said.

“It is very hard for children. They are getting very frustrated and are very hard to manage. Adults can understand and try to stay home, but not easy for the children to stay inside the house for so long.”[pf18].

Due to the closures of schools and other recreational activities, engaging children in productive activities was limited, and many spent unrestricted time watching TV or on the internet. A participant mentioned:

“Children are spending a lot of time on TV and playing games, which is not good for them. But there is not much else to do either. This is also creating problems. We try to restrict them, but they are smart; they will always get back to the games or TV. I try to divert them into other activities, but my son will say you are trying to change me. Some activities and engagements are needed for children to keep them busy and productive and stay away from technology.”[pf13].

Adults 

Adult participants mentioned spending extended time on technology and social media to manage social isolation and boredom. Workshops and training sessions, which served as a means of social networking, were disrupted. A participant mentioned: “Not being able to attend the workshops face to face is a problem as they were great opportunities to socialize and enjoy with other new immigrants”[pm6].

Lack of in-person training hindered their skills training and professional development. Online courses provided some options for continued professional development. Extended time spent on online courses negatively influenced physical health, as is evident in this quote: “Having to do online courses in English made it much harder to learn English and harmed health due to extended hours of sitting in front of the screen.”[pm7].

Exposure to conflicting social media news from other countries raised questions about the Government’s response and the adequacy of the public health measures in Canada, increasing stress. A participant mentioned:

“In my country, they are using an app to check the temperature of the person before they enter the grocery store, so that if a person is sick, they will not be allowed in the grocery store and expose others. Why can’t the same be done here [Canada]”[pm8].

Participants frequently mentioned being lonely and strongly emphasized the need for socialization, as is evident in this quote: “We need each other when we are in this pandemic. We are all working together to find a solution, and when we are separated from others or friends and family, we realize that”[pf17].

Managing pandemic-induced stress

Participants greatly appreciated the group discussion, offering opportunities to collectively discuss everyday challenges and solutions. Participants showed resilience and agency in finding ways to mitigate the stresses induced by the pandemic. This included self-care, leaning on families, following public health advice, tapping into the community, and exploiting technology.

Self-care

Simple, cost-free activities and tested strategies were shared to provide support and stay positive. Sharing ideas for physical activity, the session facilitator mentioned.

If you are unable to go outside the house, you can still exercise through housework and walking in the house, apartment, etc. Count the number of steps starting at the entrance-living-room-kitchen-washroom-bedroom-entrance. Repeat this several times in a day to stay active.

Emphasizing the importance of daily routine, the session facilitator mentioned:

Try to maintain the same routine as you had before the lockdown on the weekdays. Try to plan something different for the weekends for the family, like a special meal, a board game, going for a drive as a family, or watching a movie. Wear something nice just as you would if you went out and did the activity with the family.

To encourage participation, a RIWC staff, shared their skill, saying: “I am good at keeping myself busy with positive activities.” The session facilitator and RIWC staff encouraged participants to discuss their strengths. Several participants mentioned engaging in positive self-talk, such as: “I tell myself I am good [pf1]; I tell myself I am the best”[pf3]. Through these discussions, participants were able to focus on their skills, and a few participants said: “I am good at organizing things, events and managing the household.”[pf14]; “I am a good cook,” [pf5] and, “I like to decorate the house”[pf4].

Implementing public health measures

 Participants greatly appreciated the credible and current health information shared at the beginning of the group discussion. Acknowledging that COVID-19 information continued to evolve and no intervention was without criticism, they complied with public health directives. To encourage masking, the session facilitator suggested a strategy: “To get used to masks, try wearing them for short periods when at home throughout the day. Try that with children, too”. Sharing a strategy to encourage masking among children, a RIWC staff member mentioned,

“We are playing this game with my grandchildren to prepare them to wear masks in school. He is pretending to be a Ninja Turtle [cartoon character] and fighting the COVID-19 virus by wearing masks. He has become comfortable with it.”

Reminding participants to maintain safety while they waited for vaccination, the session facilitator mentioned:

It is important to follow prevention measures until you have received your vaccines. By taking the vaccine yourself, you can limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect others who are currently not eligible for vaccines. Both dosages of vaccines are recommended for maximum protection. Vaccines are most effective 14 days after the second dosage for both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Spikevax.

To promote vaccine uptake, the session facilitator shared personal experiences and said, “Both my parents and my mother-in-law have received their first dosage and are booked for their second dosage. They were fine after the vaccines.”

Tapping into community resources

 Most participants mentioned staying engaged with their culture post-immigration as a coping strategy. A participant mentioned: “We engage in religious rituals and stay connected with a religious community.”[sp4] A participant mentioned learning about diverse cultures and said, “We watch YouTube to learn more about other cultures (cuisines, fashion, languages, and cultures)”[pf9]. Another mentioned supporting friends and others in need as a means of paying forward, and said:

“When the weather is bad, the school buses are stopped, but I help my friends pick up their kids and help them get to school, as they are busy with work, and they cannot drive their children. We love and care for our friends and stand by them when they need help.”[pf16].

One participant greatly appreciated the support they received during personal loss and said:

“Last year, my daughter was born, and I lost my father due to COVID. I could not travel to see him. It was a tough year. I am glad I had my daughter. I lost a lot, and I gained a blessing too. It was tough during COVID, but with good support, I was able to cope.”[pf12].

Emphasizing the importance of peer support and how these sessions were beneficial, a participant pointed out:

“We like talking in this group as there are positive things. The teachers talk about it, and then guest speakers come and talk about it, too. It helps to make sure we take care of ourselves so that we can take care of our families better.“[pm10].

Exploiting technology

 The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift towards technology-mediated communication, offering numerous advantages for individuals navigating social distancing measures. As the pandemic unfolded, web-based communication was increasingly used by the WHO, governments, and health systems globally to disseminate information to the masses promptly. A wealth of information became available at the fingertips of anyone with internet access. A participant mentioned: “The good thing nowadays is we have the internet, so I can read a lot of information online from my cellphone. I can know the worldwide COVID-19 related events,”[pm11].

Social media handles such as WeChat, WhatsApp, Facebook, etc., also facilitated ongoing communication and support networks, particularly among seniors and immigrant communities across the geographies. A participant mentioned:

“Meeting in person is less, but with technology, we still talk to each other a lot, making sure they are doing good. We use WeChat a lot. Our friends value friendship, so every morning, my friends will say good morning, share pleasant events in life, give each other positive encouragement, and share pleasant life events (online).”[sp6].

Technology enabled individuals to participate in significant life events remotely, fostering a sense of connection and engagement. A participant mentioned

“We attended my brother-in-law’s wedding through Zoom. We dressed up and saw all the rituals on Zoom as they were taking place back home. We ordered good food here for ourselves. We gave blessings to the newlywed couple. They sent us all the pictures of the weddings. That was still better than missing it altogether.” [pf10].

Insights and lessons learned

Insights

The pandemic also sparked profound reflections and insights among individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Participants shared and discussed insights which provided alternate ways of looking at the situation. For those aged 70 and above, the pandemic presented unique mental health challenges as evident from this quote.

“It has affected my mental health, but I think, at our ages, our thoughts are different from newer generations; we are 70+. I think COVID-19 is very scary, but I think the inner self must be stronger, so you won’t feel time pass slowly. My good friend’s dad died of COVID-19 back in my country, so I talked with that friend a lot and guided them through that difficult time. For me, I think internal strength is really important, a good attitude is very important, so mental and physical health will be maintained well, and we will have an easier time during this pandemic.“[sp8].

Resilience

However, senior participants fostered resilience through internal fortitude and supportive relationships. Participants discussed building inner strength and resilience by practicing patience, focusing on the bigger picture, and having faith in a higher power. Reflecting on the challenges of resettling in a new country, a participant mentioned.

“I have been in this country for a short time, but I realize that life is tough here, and there is a lot of stress. I need to love and take care of myself to become stronger and tougher so you can face the challenges, or else you will get sick, be stressed, and worried.”[sp9].

Participant reflected on lessons in simplicity and humility, recognizing the fragility of human life and the limitations of technological prowess in the face of a global health crisis. A participant noted:

“The virus is so small, and you cannot even see it without a strong microscope, but it has caused upheaval in the whole world; no one is spared, and every country is affected. Every aspect of our lives is affected. It might be a punishment that we all are getting because we did something wrong, or it can be that it is a warning to us about something even worse that might happen or a warning to stop doing something we were doing wrong and maybe going in the wrong direction. Or it could be that there is a gift hidden in this, and when everything is over, we will all get the benefit. No one knows what will happen; we all have to wait and see.”[sp5].

Highlighting the necessity of cultivating inner strength and self-love to withstand the stressors of everyday life, a participant mentioned

“Patience is important. One big thing I have learned is that we may have made progress in technology; we have cars, things, big houses, big hospitals, but we are weak. But this one virus has affected people of all ages, countries, and races, and all technology computers are of no use. It makes me realize that we are weak. I agree that we think we are smart, we know everything, we have the power to change anything, but this made us realize that we are small and weak and sometimes nothing is in our capacity to do anything.”[sp7].

Emphasizing the significance of adhering to safety protocols while maintaining faith in a higher power, a participant said:

" I believe that it is important to follow all the safety protocols, but in the end, it is also the will of God. As in the same family, one person gets the virus and gets very sick, and others are fine. True, we have seen that a whole family will get sick, and some will end up dying, and others are fine. So, what will happen in the end is God’s will. But we still need to be careful.”[sp3].

This integration of faith and practical measures reflects a nuanced approach to navigating uncertainty and finding solace amidst adversity. Overall, the insights gleaned from individuals across diverse backgrounds underscore the resilience, adaptability, and interconnectedness of human experience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gratitude

Through the expression of gratitude, participants were encouraged to identify insight and learning amidst the challenges of the pandemic. This offered individuals a sense of perspective and appreciation for life’s blessings, fostering resilience. Expression of gratitude encouraged participants to adopt a strength-based mindset, directing attention toward opportunities and leveraging them to arrive at the next best solution rather than remaining stranded with the problem. A few participants identified positive health and safety outcomes. Counting their blessing, one participant mentioned: “I realize how lucky we were before COVID.” [pf19] and “I am grateful no one in my family got COVID.”[pf6]. A few others mentioned: “I am grateful we all are healthy and safe” [pf11]; “I am grateful I lost weight” [pf8]. A participant mentioned opportunities to explore their hobbies and said, “ I am grateful for all the good recipes I found online”[pf19].

The session facilitator shared her experience reconnecting with friends and shared, “I am grateful for technology. I was able to find and reconnect with some friends after 22 years!”

A participant reflecting on opportunities for professional development said, “I am grateful that I got to go for higher education and my family supported me.”[pm12]. Amidst uncertainties and limitations, gratitude is a beacon of hope and empowerment, providing individuals with a sense of purpose, as was described by a participant: “I would love to visit my brother in the US, but we can’t. I am grateful that at least we can talk on the phone.”[pf9].

Discussion

The study results highlight the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the daily lives of immigrants to Canada. Confusion, fear, and uncertainty about the future experienced by study participants influenced mental health and all other aspects of life, as is extensively reported [4, 29–32]. The death of 23 elderly people post-vaccination in Norway further increased fear and concern about vaccine safety [33]. Participants reported feeling bored, lonely, and sad. Negative effects of restrictive interventions, quarantine, and social distancing, on the mental health of all ages reported by study participants were observed in other studies [1, 19, 20, 32, 34, 35].

Quarantine and social distancing segregated the elderly from their extended family, their primary sources of social and daily support [21, 36]. Elderly participants mentioned that the fear of infection, losing family and friends, and social isolation cumulatively created stress as reported in other studies [21, 34–36]. For younger participants, relocation stress was further augmented by the fear of infections, death, loss of family members, and economic and social challenges as the pandemic unfolded [31, 32, 34]. Study participants also reported being unable to form social connections with other immigrants who were cognizant of their life challenges or to gain their support. Lack of social support during grief and loss experienced by a few participants was identified as an important source of stress in the literature [31, 34]. Delayed language development, restlessness, difficulty in managing children, and overuse of technology were reported by participants as negative effects of social isolation for children, as was also reported in another study [37]. As observed in the literature [38, 39], the study results highlight the importance of social networks and support from mature immigrant families for the smooth integration of new immigrants.

Consistent with the literature, participants used various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, WeChat, etc., to stay connected and maintain family cohesion [40–43] and YouTube to pursue hobbies, exercise, and new skills to stay productive and cope with stress. Technology overuse negatively influenced the physical and mental health of all age groups [44, 45]. Participants relied on social media for COVID-19-related information. Studies cautioned against the spread of misinformation through social media [46–48]. Disseminating misinformation publicly, especially among new immigrants, can be risky due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with the host culture. Participants greatly appreciated the discussion sessions that provided tailored, credible, and current health information, enabling them to participate in the national pandemic response.

Coping strategies employed to address adverse situations varied with age groups and gender [49, 50]. Elderly participants mentioned reflecting on the bigger picture, insights, lessons learned, having patience, and accepting the inevitable in situations beyond one’s control. While young participants engaged in productive household activities, caring for family, reconnecting with estranged friends, revisiting hobbies and activities, etc. Younger male participants pursued skills development, hobbies, and technology. Increased technology use, video games, and television usage were reported among children. Participants reported complying with all public health directives, and vaccine uptake was high among participants. Most participants mentioned that having faith in a higher power supported them during difficult times.

As observed in other studies [25, 51–53], mental wellness emphasized through self-help strategies, gratitude, self-love, and self-care during the pandemic was well received. Facilitators and RIWC staff shared their perspectives, encouraging participants to focus on positive self-characteristics by maintaining a gratitude journal as proposed by Fishman [51]. Consistent with the literature, participants mentioned engaging in positive activities, religious activities, prayers, and reflection on the profound meaning and lessons during the pandemic to cope with stress [4, 25, 50, 54]. This offered hope and enhanced mental strength and resilience during the pandemic [4]. Encouraging participants to share such insights collectively allowed them to meaningfully learn from each other’s experiences and support each other, and adopt a positive mindset [4, 54]. The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for countries, governments, health systems, communities, families, and individuals, dismantling known and established ways of functioning and living [4, 55]. Governments, health systems, families, and individuals were often forced to arrive at decisions under tight timelines. Historically, the human race has shown great strength and unwavering resilience in responding to natural and or man-made disasters such as war, the Sumatran tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and infectious diseases that continue to disturb global stability [4, 55]. Consistent with the “3 Cs (control, coherence, and connectedness)” models of resilience mentioned by Reise [55], this study documents unaverred resilience demonstrated by study participants in managing the crisis as the pandemic unfolded. The open discussion sessions were instrumental in promoting resilience and enhancing preparedness to deal with the ongoing crisis. First, by offering credible and current public health information, the open discussion sessions enabled participants to engage in the national pandemic response. Participants collectively discussed new challenges and potential solutions as the pandemic progressed, thereby establishing a sense of control during uncertain times. The self-help strategies, gratitude, and positive self-talk presented in partnership with role models from the same ethnic groups equipped participants with useful tools to address mental distress and experience a sense of control during stressful times. Second, coherence was emphasized by encouraging participants to reflect and share their perspectives on the bigger picture, lessons learned, and insights. This allowed participants to collectively make sense of the public health directives and responses from governments, health systems, and communities. Finally, the discussion session offered opportunities to develop social connections with others in similar situations and the ability to collectively examine the challenges and find solutions. Participants mentioned finding kinship and support during trying times [25].

As we focus on rebuilding our lives post-pandemic, it is important to reflect, curate lessons learned, and employ those to bolster our emergency preparedness. As previously observed, programs offered in collaboration with community organizations can support immigrants during the resettlement phase [23]. The language-assisted discussion sessions offered through the study served dual purposes. First, they were effective in disseminating credible health information relevant to the local context. Second, the discussion session offered opportunities to develop social connections with others in similar situations and the ability to collectively examine the challenges and find solutions. Participants mentioned finding kinship, a sense of community, and solace that they were not alone and that help would be available when needed [25]. Requests for more sessions by RIWC staff and participants indicate that these sessions can support immigrants during future health crises. As mentioned in the literature [56], the pandemic has emphasized the need to employ alternative methods to engage patient partners and community members in developing strategies to address health issues. The virtual platform was effective in engaging new immigrants in collaborative discussion while still following public health measures of social distancing. As observed in literature [57], the study highlights coping strategies employed by new immigrants while they navigated socioeconomic and health challenges imposed by the pandemic.

Lessons learned

Results indicate that a sense of community and belongingness is important for mental health. As observed in other studies, cultural teachings and religious activities provide mental health support for immigrants. Partnerships with key stakeholders such as health researchers, clinicians at SHA, and RIWC enhanced access to local credible public health directives for immigrants. The language interpreters assisted information sessions, providing easily comprehensible, locally relevant information that can assist immigrants with language barriers in participating in the provincial and national response to public health emergencies. Mental wellness, resilience, and emergency preparedness can be enhanced among immigrants by supporting social connectedness, encouraging active problem-solving, and steering their focus on lessons learned and insights during health emergencies. Self-help strategies can be offered as a first line of intervention for new immigrants experiencing stress and anxiety to promote mental wellness and reduce the risk of mental illness. Additionally, the self-help strategies can also enhance resilience and provide adaptive coping mechanisms for those who are experiencing mental health issues, thereby enhancing capacity among new immigrants to deal with relocation stress, including stress induced by extreme situations such as natural disasters and pandemics. This study demonstrates that virtual platforms can help engage patient partners and community members in health research, foster partnerships to collectively discuss challenges and identify real-life solutions.

Limitations

Only RIWC participants attending virtual programming during the pandemic were included in the study, and the views might not represent those who are not accessing RIWC programming. Participants representing specific countries were small, and the views might not represent those of new immigrants from specific countries. Although language translators were available, some aspects of participants’ views and perspectives might have been missed due to language barriers.

Conclusion

The study highlighted the negative effects of social isolation on the mental health of immigrants and the importance of social connection and support during a health crisis. The language-assisted discussion sessions provided credible health information, an alternative for social connection, and strategies to address daily life challenges during the pandemic. Open discussion sessions facilitated in collaboration with community organizations providing settlement services, and healthcare professionals can offer self-help techniques to maintain mental well-being and enhance mental resilience. These sessions helped individuals and families respond to daily challenges and sustain productivity amidst the rapidly evolving pandemic. Such initiatives can serve as an option to support immigrants during future health emergencies.

Abbreviations

RIWC

Regina Immigrant Women Center

ED

Executive Director

SHA

Saskatchewan Health Authority

WHO

World Health Organization

PHAC

Public Health Agency of Canada

pm

Participant male

pf

Participant female

sp

Senior participant

Authors’ contributions

***Mamata Pandey*** : Developed research plan, and ethics application, facilitated discussion session, collected data, analyzed and prepared manuscript.***Geoffrey Maina*** : Assisted with research plan. Ethics application, data analysis, and reviewing and editing the final manuscript.***Yiting Fang*** : Prepared introduction and literature review, finalized the references, and reviewed and edited the final draft.***Trisha LaPlante*** : Carried out data analysis, assisted in preparing the results section and discussion, prepared a data map, and reviewed and edited the final manuscript.***Rejina Kamrul*** : Provided updated Public Health measures, strategies to ensure good physical and mental health, ***Denise Babcock*** : Assisted with participant recruitment and consent, co-facilitated discussion session, reviewed and edited the final draft***Jan Pyle*** : Assisted with participant recruitment and consent, co-facilitated discussion session, supported data collection and provided language assistance, reviewed and edited the final draft***Neelu Sachdev*** : Assisted with the research plan, finalizing the ethics application review, and editing of the final draft.

Funding

No funding was available for the research project.

Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal investigations. The study was approved by the Saskatchewan Health Authority Ethics Board (REB 20–61), Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

All participants were informed about the study objectives. However, to comply with the public health measure of social distancing, only verbal informed consent was requested from all participants individually before the discussion session began in the presence of RIWC staff members. Additionally, participants who participated in the focus group or individual interviews provided verbal informed consent a second time, in the presence of RIWC staff. To comply with public health measures of social distancing, verbal informed consent was accepted by the Saskatchewan Health Authority Ethics Board, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.