Introducing the CRIS Wellness Clinic

Farhiya* arrived in Central Ohio after fleeing prolonged conflict and spending years of her life in uncertainty. Like many others, she carried not only her belongings but also the invisible weight of her lived experience. Her resettlement brought safety and stability—a permanent home, food security, the opportunity to work, and the joy of sending her children to school for the first time. Yet, she began to experience a new kind of anxiety, sleeplessness, and a deep sense of isolation in her unfamiliar environment.

In the spring of 2023, Farhiya connected with the CRIS Health & Wellness team to navigate these challenges. She attended brief therapy sessions with CRIS clinician Kyri Shaffer and participated in a Wellness Group led by CRIS Refugee Health Specialist Melissa Miller. Through these connections, she developed the ability to articulate her emotional experiences—both past and present—and found a sense of belonging as she built relationships with staff, volunteers, and other refugees.

For 30 years now, CRIS has been committed to helping refugees and immigrants achieve safety, self-sufficiency, and successful integration. Recognizing that mental health is a critical part of this journey, CRIS is proud to announce the expansion of its Refugee Health & Wellness Program with the opening of a brand-new Wellness Clinic.

The CRIS Wellness Clinic is dedicated to providing free, culturally responsive mental health care tailored to the unique experiences of refugees and ORR-eligible immigrants. Services include brief therapy, case management, and support groups designed for individuals and families. By focusing on mental health literacy and destigmatizing concerns through collective experiences, the clinic aims to empower clients like Farhiya to navigate their healing journeys with confidence.

In the fall of 2024, CRIS was awarded a STAR (Support for Trauma-Affected Refugees) grant through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, enabling the creation of the Wellness Clinic. Located in a separate space near the CRIS office, the clinic is staffed by a team trained in culturally sensitive care. “Our goal is to invite our clients into a space that will enable them to consider, in addition to their practical needs, their emotional needs. Without having to compromise their cultural values and identity in the process," shares Shaffer.

One distinct aspect of the Wellness Clinic is its focus on family-based care. In addition to individual therapy, the clinic offers family-strengthening sessions, recognizing the importance of familial support in the healing process. For clients encountering mental health services for the first time, brief therapy sessions address immediate concerns and introduce them to the therapeutic process in a culturally sensitive manner.

The expansion of services through the Wellness Clinic reflects CRIS's unwavering commitment to addressing both the ongoing and acute mental health needs of the refugee and immigrant community in Central Ohio. Farhiya's story exemplifies the resilience of refugees and the critical role of community support in their healing. Through the CRIS Wellness Clinic, many others like her will find the tools to heal, adapt, and thrive.

For more information about the CRIS Wellness Clinic and its services, please visit the CRIS Wellness Clinic webpage.

*Name changed to protect privacy.