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Press release: Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC)
The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC), a premier nonprofit human service organization serving southeast Michigan, participated in an interview with CNN anchor and correspondent Victor Blackwell to cover the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences-based research study “Risk and Resilience in Syrian Refugees,” which is being conducted in partnership with ACC and its Community Health Center.
Blackwell interviewed ACC refugee clients to gain their perspective and feelings on the current travel ban. Also interviewed was Wayne State University Assistant Professor Arash Javanbakht, M.D., the study’s lead researcher, and volunteer research assistant Mohammed Isam Alsaud.
The study, in partnership with ACC, was launched six months ago to determine the mental health impact and biological correlation of civil war trauma on Syrian refugees now living in the United States. Data collected from refugees who moved to Michigan less than two months earlier; show that 30 percent of adult refugees experience post-traumatic stress disorder and 50 percent experience depression. In addition, 60 percent of Syrian children show signs of anxiety because of trauma – very likely impacted by their mother’s PTSD.
The study, in partnership with ACC, was launched six months ago to determine the mental health impact and biological correlation of civil war trauma on Syrian refugees now living in the United States. Data collected from refugees who moved to Michigan less than two months earlier; show that 30 percent of adult refugees experience post-traumatic stress disorder and 50 percent experience depression. In addition, 60 percent of Syrian children show signs of anxiety because of trauma – very likely impacted by their mother’s PTSD.
ACC’s long standing partnership with Wayne State University’s Department of Psychiatry and funding provided through the State of Michigan has been able to provide services to the most vulnerable and transitional population who have sought refuge in our community. The clinical work and outcomes based on what Wayne State University researchers established have resulted in promising outcomes for the refugee, other new immigrant populations and all exposed to extreme circumstance. Dr Arash Javanbakht and his colleagues at Wayne State University have been able to initiate a new phase of this longstanding record of research and clinical care with ACC. None of this could be achieved without the generous assistance and help of the state of Michigan. We are all proud of this achievement.
