Some Low German families seek medical interventions only when home remedies or their community’s lay practitioners are unable to resolve the issue.
Low German families have experienced many challenges through their migration to Latin America and return to Canada. Drought, crop failure, limited income and making do with whatever is immediately available has often been their lot. Limited access to health services and information, limited awareness of safety standards, frequent highway collisions and farm injuries are all factors that have contributed to premature and untimely deaths. Traumatic events are understood as part of the course of life, and yet there are times when this trauma impacts the person’s ability to cope and be resilient.
View of death and funerals
Death of infants, children, youth and young men is a common family experience and as such is accepted as part of life; untimely deaths are interpreted as part of God’s plan. A strong belief that God does not make mistakes sustains individuals and families during their times of grief. In the Low German Mennonite culture, death is viewed with practicality and considered a part of life. When a member of the Low German Mennonite community dies, it is viewed as a loss to the entire community and it is expected that the community will recognize this loss and grieve together. It is common for entire families, including toddlers and preschool children, to attend funerals. Parents will keep their children home from school to attend funerals.
Disabilities
The Low German people have become very innovative people. Over the years, access to medical equipment and devices has been limited or too expensive so Low German men have built wheelchairs, motorized ambulation devices, crutches, and other equipment to assist individuals with the disabilities.
The Low German people have become very innovative people. Over the years, access to medical equipment and devices has been limited or too expensive so Low German men have built wheelchairs, motorized ambulation devices, crutches and other equipment to assist individuals with physical disabilities.
Low German Mennonite culture places a high value on life. There is a belief that God has created each person for a reason, whether they are born with good health or a disability. There is an expectation to accept the limitations that you have and that God will sustain you through these.
In Latin America, families are often not aware of or able to access resources for developmentally and/or cognitively disabled individuals. Thus, families usually provide for an individual’s specific needs on their own; they feel this is their responsibility. Many individuals with developmental and cognitive challenges participate in manual labour if they are able while others may be hidden from village life. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and counsellors have not traditionally been accessible in Latin America. Consequently, the relevance and benefits of these services within the Canadian context are unknown; families may be afraid to accept support services and therefore decline the services without comprehending the potential benefits for themselves or their children.
Mental well-being
In general, there is a lack of understanding about the complexities of mental health to the extent that there are no words in Low German describing many mental health diagnoses. Shyness, difficulty separating from Mom or being a timid child is often viewed as the child having “weak nerves.” It is considered appropriate to treat these behaviours with vitamins. Although vitamins can be obtained by eating fruits and vegetables, they prefer to treat weak nerves with vitamin pills.
“Weak nerves” in adults can also be attributed to a broad range of emotions from the feelings one experiences when aware of gossip about oneself to clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is all explained as weak nerves.
Because of the lack of awareness regarding mental health resources available in the Canadian context, Low German Mennonites who struggle with emotional/psychological issues often do not access available supports/resources. Further, Low German Mennonites are often unaware of the benefits of non-prescription interventions such as counselling (addictions, financial, mental health, etc.) and that these interventions can promote and lead to mental well-being. Therefore, in situations when individuals are hospitalized due to emotional distress and/or when suicide is experienced within a community, individuals and families directly affected by these events often experience compounded isolation. It is helpful for service providers to share information regarding the resources available to Low German individuals through these times of distress.
“I moved here from Durango, Mexico about four years ago. Life is very different here than it was in Mexico. When I was in Mexico, I lived in a colony where I had the close support of my family and friends around me all the time. I am grateful that life here is better, because my husband now has a good job and he can provide for our family, but I have been experiencing feelings of sadness and loneliness because I no longer have the support of my family and friends nearby.”
“I live in a rural area and I find it hard because after my children go to school and my husband goes to work, I am home in the house alone all day. I am afraid to get my driver’s license and therefore have a difficult time accessing services that could help me.”
Addictions
Drive through liquor stores such as this are common throughout Mexico.
Drive-through liquor stores such as this are common throughout Mexico.
Alcohol use, smoking and drug abuse are present within the Low German population. Low German leaders are concerned about addiction issues in their communities and participate in educational seminars regarding addiction. However, in Southwestern Ontario, access to culturally sensitive and language-appropriate services is not readily available.
Alcohol
In Latin America, alcohol is readily available from a variety of outlets and youth often have easy access to it at an early age. The beginnings of alcohol addiction can manifest early in a youth’s life and have unfortunately become more common in these Low German-speaking populations. Given the lack of awareness of mental health and the lack of understanding of trauma, it is natural that some turn to alcohol as a coping strategy. Families from the Low German Mennonite community are affected by alcohol addiction at the same rate as families from mainstream communities.
Smoking
Traditionally, smoking has not been viewed as a health concern. Many men and some women do smoke.
Illegal drugs
Some Low German men have become addicted to illegal drugs, often as a coping mechanism for untreated mental health, symptoms of depression, lack of recognition of childhood trauma and the despair they feel about their lack of employment opportunities. A small number of Low German men may get involved with the drug trade due to poverty issues and the perception that one-time involvement in transportation of illegal substances will erase their unmanageable debt.
Drug rehabilitation
An Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre for both men and women has been established and organized by the diverse Low German Mennonite communities in Mexico. This faith-based, three-month program is accessed by some Low German individuals from Ontario. The Low German congregational leaders support this centre and will visit their congregants during their stay at the centre.
