Imagine for a moment that you’ve been forced to flee your home. The life you knew, the routines, the familiar faces—gone. You're on the move, afraid, and uncertain of what lies ahead. This is the daily reality for millions of displaced people around the world, many of whom have endured unthinkable trauma. On this World Mental Health Day, we want to take the opportunity to discuss this often-overlooked part of the refugee experience.
Supporting the mental well-being of refugees and displaced people is frequently integrated into Alight's global programs and services. Many of these individuals have faced violence, persecution, and the ongoing stress of adapting to a new life in an unfamiliar place. The mental health challenges that result—like depression, anxiety, and PTSD—can deeply affect their ability to rebuild their lives, especially when access to proper care is limited. Children are particularly vulnerable, with the effects of trauma looming over their development and future opportunities.
At Alight, we’ve co-created mental health programs with our customers to address their particular needs. Here are just a few of our recent initiatives.
In Poland, with support from the World Health Organization, our Mindful Workspaces project provided trauma-informed, supportive environments for over 400 displaced Ukrainian employees and job seekers, focusing on mental health, resilience, and productivity. Meanwhile, in Kharkiv, Ukraine we've successfully implemented a project in the partnership with a local CSO "In Mother’s Palms" for elderly war-affected individuals. We addressed their psychological and physical health, stress, and isolation through activities like individual and group counseling, art therapy, and brain exercises to improve memory and concentration. Over two months, 100 participants took part, and 78% showed reduced stress and anxiety, 87% reported feeling less isolated, and 85% improved their physical and cognitive health.
