GP Says, "Prescribe English Lessons to Cut Depression"
Tuesday February 27, 2007
I just ran across an interesting article on the Evening Standard's Web site. A doctor in London is advocating a campaign for immigrants who have not mastered the English language to learn English as a way of reducing social isolation and depression. She further states that it is also a safety issue. If patients aren't able to communicate with their doctor, it is harder for them to get medical assistance.
Here in the U.S., we also have a large number of immigrants. Without getting into the issue of legal vs. illegal immigrants, do you believe that such a campaign would be useful, both in helping immigrants avoid depression and in getting proper assistance when they do experience it?
Comments
I am a volunteer “conversation partner” to recent immigrants, as well as foreign students who are in the U.S. for the specific purpose of learning English. Members of both groups have mentioned the sense of isolation because their limited English speaking skills limit their ability to interact as they would like to with most people. Even as they are learning English, some of my partners have admitted to feeling depressed, lonely, and very frustrated about this. I would guess that these feelings are probably compounded for immigrants who have lived here for months or years, but are still unable to count on their ability to communicate well enough to be understood outside of a very limited social circle.
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Hi
It seems like a good idea. Many people don’t seek the help they need. Social isolation is an ever increasing problem and I think that this one way to bring people together.