Bala I. Harri

Dalhousie University, Canada

Abstract Title:

Psychosocial Realities and Displacement-Related Factors Shaping Mental Health Among Internally Displaced Persons in North Central Nigeria

Biography:

Bala I. Harri is a PhD student in Psychiatry Research at Dalhousie University, Canada. Before his PhD, he served as Assistant Director, Policy and Planning, at the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. He has training in medicine, public health, and global health policy, with experience in clinical practice, health systems research, monitoring and evaluation, and health policy across Africa. His research focuses on mental health, trauma, resilience, and psychosocial wellbeing among internally displaced persons in Nigeria, using qualitative, quantitative, and community-engaged methods to inform culturally responsive mental health interventions in humanitarian settings.

Research Interests:

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria experience major mental health and psychosocial challenges linked to conflict, forced displacement, livelihood loss, disrupted education, weakened family structures, and limited access to formal mental health services. This qualitative phenomenological study explored psychosocial realities and displacement-related factors among IDPs in Wassa and Durumi camps in Abuja, North Central Nigeria. Data were collected from 8 to 12 August 2024 through 18 in-depth interviews and 8 focus group discussions with adolescents, adults, camp leaders, and religious leaders. Interviews and discussions were conducted in Hausa using trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches, then transcribed and translated into English. Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarkes framework, with Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems Theory guiding interpretation. Five interconnected themes emerged: mental and psychological impacts, support ecosystems, coping mechanisms, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and gender-based violence and protection concerns. Participants described trauma exposure, persistent distress, disrupted family and peer relationships, interrupted schooling, livelihood loss, food insecurity, poor sanitation, weak healthcare access, and limited formal mental health and psychosocial support. Informal peer, family, religious, and community networks provided emotional, spiritual, and material support but were overstretched. Findings highlight the need for prevention-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive mental health and psychosocial support that strengthens family and peer networks, education access, livelihood opportunities, confidential gender-based violence referral pathways, and humanitarian policies addressing social determinants of mental health.