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When he was just 13 years old, Jibril, his mother, and siblings were forced to leave their home country of Somalia and come to the United States under refugee status because of violence in their home country. Having to abruptly leave everything he’d ever known was incredibly challenging for Jibril – it would be for anyone. Thankfully, his journey led him to be connected with The Buckeye Ranch’s Somali Outreach and Mental Health program.

He reflects, “It’s hard to think about the dark experiences from that time. My mother sacrificed everything to keep our family safe by coming to America. Being so young trying to make sense of the trauma that came with leaving everything I had known … that was hard.” 

Any move can be a challenging transition for a teenager. A move means losing access to familiar surroundings, people in their support system, and their routine. That challenge was made all the more complex for Jibril with a move to a new country, where he had to learn a new language, new environment, and an entirely new culture, all while navigating great loss and trauma as a result of conditions in his former home. 

Jibril struggled with the transition into his new community and school, having a hard time understanding many lessons in a language he was newly learning, all while navigating mental health conditions that were not yet diagnosed. 

Overcoming Mental Health Stigma 

In Somalia, mental health is often not discussed openly. Jibril was navigating several mental health challenges, but he did not have the awareness or understanding to work through what he was experiencing. 

“In Somali culture, mental health is not something we talk about. I didn’t understand how to say the trauma I’d experienced was affecting me,” explains Jibril. “I just knew I felt angry at myself and at the world and had no idea how to cope with that. I remember I used to run home from school, run up to my room, not talk to anyone, and slam the door. I knew it was bad, but I didn’t know what else to do.” 

Struggling to vocalize all he was dealing with, Jibril lost control and had a challenging break during his freshman year of high school. His mom was unsure of how to support him on her own, so she contacted the police, who helped connect Jibril with Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  

Once he was evaluated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, tests revealed that he was struggling with anxiety, depression, anger management, ADHD, and dyslexia. For the first time, Jibril was able to begin to make sense of what he was feeling and understand that he was not alone in experiencing mental health challenges. 

Learning It’s Okay to Ask for Help 

Thankfully, Nationwide Children’s Hospital then referred Jibril to The Buckeye Ranch, where he was connected with the Somali Outreach and Mental Health program, a program within The Buckeye Ranch’s Community-Based and Education Mental Health Services. 

At first, Jibril was nervous about receiving help with his mental health conditions from The Buckeye Ranch.  

“I’m glad I did. The Somali Outreach and Mental Health program has made me feel so supported,” reflects Jibril. “It helped me through high school and has shown me that I can ask for help. I never knew how to ask for help. It was scary. Looking back, I don’t know how I would have gotten through school without learning to ask for that support.” 

The Buckeye Ranch’s Somali Outreach and Mental Health program provides culturally specific intensive and non-intensive clinical and case management services. Using Somali-speaking case managers, the program provides support for Somali youth and families struggling with symptoms related to loss, trauma, and resettlement, as well as issues common to the process of merging cultures.  

The outreach component of the program connects Somali families to community resources specific to their needs. The program provides acculturation services to the Somali community in Franklin County and service providers with many Somali clients and patrons. 

After receiving support from the program, Jibril garnered the resources needed to be set up for success at school and within his community. 

Finding Support in Community 

The Buckeye Ranch’s Somali Outreach clinicians worked with Jibril’s school to help him gain access to time with an intervention specialist so he could receive the support he needed in the classroom.  

His clinicians also had ongoing sessions with him to teach him how to manage his emotions throughout the day and better regulate himself when he started to feel overwhelmed. They also assisted in teaching him how to communicate what his mental health challenges were to friends, family, teachers, principals, encouraging him to feel comfortable asking for help. 

“I learned how to talk about what I was struggling with, and my clinicians set me up with an intervention specialist at school. I’m telling you, if it wasn’t for my clinicians at The Buckeye Ranch, I could not have overcome these challenges,” explains Jibril. 

Jibril began building a community, getting involved at school with a multimedia program where he learned how to shoot videos. 

His clinicians also helped Jibril and his family learn more about their new community, helping them explore new restaurants and parks so Jibril and his brother could play soccer and basketball, two of their favorite games. 

Now that Jibril feels supported, he’s also able to support his family members. He’s learned how to support his little brother with his struggles, sharing what he has learned from his clinicians with him so they can help each other together.   

“I used to think that I was the problem, but I wasn’t …. The Buckeye Ranch helped me understand that and showed me that I wasn’t alone,” shares Jibril. “There were more kids just like me that needed support to help build and revive their life and feel strength to overcome our trauma and be successful.” 

Planning for a Bright Future 

With the support of his clinicians at The Buckeye Ranch, Jibril graduated high school. His clinicians supported him with the college application and financial aid process to pursue college.  

Today, he’s in his third semester of college at Columbus State. 

College comes with its own challenges, like figuring out how to get to classes, balancing keeping good grades and working, and learning what resources, like advisors, tutors, or student services, exist to support Jibril in this new adventure.  

“I’ve struggled in some classes. But I know now that when you fail at one thing, it doesn’t mean you fail at all,” shares Jibril. “I learn from those failures, and my clinicians help reassure me that I can try again. When I get lost or lose my direction, I can call The Buckeye Ranch, and my clinicians will help me get where I need to be.” 

In the future, Jibril wants to be a software developer so he can create something that can change the world and help other people find their way. We have no doubt that he will change the world. 

To learn more about The Buckeye Ranch’s Somali Outreach and Mental Health program, a program within The Buckeye Ranch’s Community-Based and Education Mental Health Services, visit our website. To hear more heartwarming stories of success from youth and families served by The Buckeye Ranch and stay up to date on our latest initiatives, sign up for our e-newsletter today.