Supporting adolescent girls’ mental health in Zambia’s refugee camps

Displacement and trauma often place refugee adolescents and young people at higher risk of mental health crises. Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Rwanda in Zambia’s camps, including Mantapala and Maheba, face unique challenges due to their distinct cultural backgrounds, histories of prolonged displacement, and the specific conditions of these camps. Unlike some other refugee settings, these camps have limited integration into national health and education systems, creating barriers to access essential mental health services.

The mental health needs of refugees often go unmet due to various factors. Many refugee adolescents struggle with language barriers, as the majority speak Swahili, French, Arabic or Lingala, making it difficult to navigate Zambia’s predominantly English- and Bemba-speaking mental health services. The psychological impact of displacement further compounds these challenges – many young refugees have fled conflict, experienced or witnessed violence, and suffered the loss of family members. These cumulative experiences manifest in post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety, which remain largely unaddressed due to inadequate mental health infrastructure and specialised support, as well as cultural stigma surrounding mental health.

Additionally, adolescent girls are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence, economic exclusion and limited access to education, exacerbating their vulnerability to mental health issues. For example, many young girls in the Mantapala camp have reported being forced into early marriages due to economic hardships, cutting off their access to schooling and social support systems. This web of factors makes it particularly hard for them to access mental health resources and support networks.

Without accessible, culturally appropriate interventions, these factors undermine resilience and exacerbate mental health vulnerabilities. RefuCare Zambia’s Refugee Resilience and Empowerment Network (RREN) was established to address these gaps. RREN utilises community sensitisation, digital mental health tools, and life skills programmes to empower refugee youth, with a focus on adolescent girls. This article highlights how RREN’s innovative approach breaks barriers and enhances refugee wellbeing.

RREN’s current approach

RefuCare Zambia conducts regular sensitisation meetings in camps and with host communities to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. These sessions are designed to be interactive, integrating storytelling, role-playing and group discussions to engage participants in culturally relevant ways. The meetings are facilitated in multiple languages – Swahili, French, Arabic and Lingala – to ensure inclusivity. Through partnerships with community leaders and refugee youth ambassadors, RefuCare Zambia ensures that mental health discussions are led by trusted voices within the refugee communities, fostering a sense of ownership and acceptance.

‘At first, I didn’t know what mental health meant, but after attending the meeting, I learned how to take care of myself and my family,’ shared Grace, a 17-year-old refugee. The participatory nature of these discussions allows individuals like Grace to feel seen and heard, breaking down stigma and promoting mental health literacy within their communities.

RREN also offers real-time mental health support through multilingual digital chat services, providing a lifeline for refugees who may feel isolated or unable to seek in-person help. This initiative was not without its challenges – establishing trust among refugee communities required sustained engagement and assurance of confidentiality.

To ensure accessibility, RefuCare Zambia trained peer counsellors from refugee backgrounds who understand the cultural and linguistic contexts of those seeking help. Additionally, the programme leveraged low-bandwidth digital platforms to accommodate the limited internet connectivity within the camps. One of the major breakthroughs came when community leaders began endorsing the service, encouraging adolescents to seek support without fear of judgment.

‘It felt like someone finally understood me when I spoke in my own language,’ said Amina, a 16-year-old participant. This feedback underscores the importance of culturally and linguistically tailored mental health interventions.

Furthermore, RREN organises life skills training workshops covering emotional regulation, conflict resolution and self-care. A recent workshop in Maheba camp focused on helping adolescent girls develop coping mechanisms to handle trauma and stress. One of the key activities involved storytelling, where participants shared personal experiences and collectively explored ways to navigate their emotions. However, implementing these workshops has not been without its hurdles – some community members initially resisted due to prevailing cultural beliefs that discourage open discussions on mental health. To address this, RefuCare Zambia worked closely with respected female leaders in the community, who played a crucial role in advocating for these sessions and reinforcing their importance.

‘I feel stronger and more confident to face the future,’ shared Fatima, an 18-year-old participant, reflecting on how the workshop equipped her with tools to manage anxiety and uncertainty.

Lessons learned and challenges

RefuCare Zambia has learned that sustained community engagement is key to breaking stigma and fostering trust. While sensitisation meetings have been effective in reaching large numbers of adolescents, expanding into more remote areas remains a challenge due to logistical and financial constraints. To mitigate this, RefuCare Zambia is exploring mobile outreach initiatives and partnerships with local organisations to expand its reach.

Another significant hurdle is access to technology. Although RREN’s digital chat services have been a success, many refugee households lack access to smartphones or stable internet connections. To address this, the organisation is planning to establish community-based mental health booths, where refugees can access digital services in a confidential and supportive environment. However, the sustainability of these booths will require continued investment and collaboration with humanitarian agencies.

Finally, building trust within refugee communities has been a crucial aspect of RREN’s success. Mental health interventions are most effective when they are community-led, and this has been evident in the increasing participation rates in sensitisation meetings and digital services. By involving refugee youth ambassadors and local facilitators, RefuCare Zambia has ensured that its programmes remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

RREN’s journey demonstrates that with culturally sensitive approaches, innovative digital tools and strong community partnerships, it is possible to create meaningful mental health support systems for refugee adolescents. By continuously adapting to challenges and learning from experiences on the ground, RefuCare Zambia is paving the way for a more resilient and mentally healthy refugee youth population in Zambia.

Akekelwa Catherine Chitonka is the founder and director of RefuCare Zambia.