The Silent Killer From Home: When the pressure to send money costs African immigrants their lives

These stories are different, yet they point to a difficult question confronting many African and Caribbean immigrants across North America:Could the relentless pressure to support loved one’s back home be taking a hidden toll on their emotional, financial, and physical well-being?

Many immigrants describe receiving frequent calls requesting financial assistance for medical bills, funerals, weddings, birthday celebrations, graduation ceremonies, baby showers, home renovations, and numerous other family obligations.

Communities, religious organizations, settlement agencies, and mental health professionals also have an important role to play by encouraging conversations about financial stress, emotional wellness, and healthy family expectations within immigrant communities.