The Somali community in the UK is relatively recent, with significant migration from the late 1980s onwards. As the first generation grows older, another new generation of British-born Somali women & girls are navigating identity in a context shaped by both their British and Somali roots.
“ I’ve always been TOO British for some and TOO Somali for others.​ Every single day …”
Zahra​​
Many British Somali women & girls carry a deep sense of pride in their East African heritage and faith.
But growing up in the UK, they become more culturally British than Somali.
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The dual (and at times, conflicting) cultural heritage leaves many British Somali women & girls feeling caught between two different worlds.
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Many adapt different versions of themselves for different spaces. They heavily self-censor. They hide parts of who they are out of fear of judgement from family, community, and wider British society.
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This leads to:
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Bewildering unresolved identity issues
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Failure to belong anywhere
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Shame, stigma, and fear of exposure
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Emotional distress
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Unhealthy coping mechanisms
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Self-medication with drugs or alcohol
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Rejection or disownment from family or community​
What the Data Shows
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Research shows high mental health need alongside low engagement with support services within Somali communities
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Shame, stigma, fear of judgement and mistrust of services remain major barriers to seeking support early
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Community studies also highlight isolation, identity conflict and the pressures of navigating life between cultures as key factors affecting wellbeing
Over 7,000 people die by suicide each year in the UK, reinforcing the need for earlier, culturally informed and community-led support.​​