COVID-19 AND REFUGEE MENTAL HEALTH: A HOLISTIC COMMUNITY-BASED PREGRAM FOR TIBETAN REFUGEES IN DHARAMSHALA

Dharamshala serves as the largest settlement for Tibetan refugees living in India. Since the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1950, thousands of Tibetans have fled due to oppression and violations of human rights. The journey from Tibet involves passing through Nepal, where the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees facilitates safe passage into India. Tibetan refugees have experienced much adversity and trauma before arriving in Dharamshala, and post- resettlement challenges add additional mental health distress. With COVID-19 adding additional stressors, focus on mental health is crucial in a post-2020 context. This paper provides an overview of Tibetan refugee mental health and proposes a holistic community-based mental health program that aims to improve the quality of life and mental health of Tibetans living in Dharmshala