The Bag of the Soul: Migration, Cultural Clashes, and Paths of Hope

The Bag of the Soul: Migration, Cultural Clashes, and Paths of Hope

19 July 2025 | 1:00 PM | YouTube

This event was a profound and insightful panel discussion centered on the emotional and psychological impacts of migration, featuring a psychiatrist and expert in trauma, Vedat Bilgiç. Hosted on Set Them Free’s YouTube channel by Board Member and Psychotherapist Melike Guray the session aimed to explore the complex relationship between migration, personal identity, emotional baggage, and mental health, especially for women and other vulnerable groups.

The moderator opened the session by emphasizing that the discussion would delve into how migration affects individuals’ emotional and spiritual lives. The conversation began with a focus on the concept of “home,” with Bilgiç sharing his view that “home” is not just a physical space but a metaphor for emotional and spiritual wholeness. He explained that migration often involves a separation from this inner sense of home, which can lead to feelings of loss, trauma, and dislocation, akin to the metaphor in a film where life is about returning home—both as a beginning and an end.

Bilgiç discussed how the concept of home encompasses not only physical surroundings but also identity, language, culture, and even food—elements that form a person’s sense of belonging. When these are disrupted by migration, individuals often experience a form of inner rupture, likened to being “ripped from the reed” as Rumi poetically describes. Such separation can evoke grief, longing, and a sense of being unmoored, which may manifest psychologically as trauma or emotional distress. He highlighted that not every migration results in trauma; it depends on how individuals interpret and cope with their experiences.

The conversation then moved to the metaphor of the “emotional suitcase,” a collection of memories, feelings, and experiences that migrants carry with them. Bilgiç explained that these belongings are often symbolic—photos, jewelry, or mementos—and that the way individuals process and manage this emotional baggage influences their mental health. For example, some may suppress these feelings, while others might express them through art, storytelling, or social support. He noted that many migrants’ experience somatization—physical symptoms without a clear medical cause—stemming from unprocessed emotional pain, and that language barriers can hinder access to mental health services, especially for women who may not find therapists who speak their native language.

The discussion addressed the connection between trauma and dreams, where recurring themes of loss, displacement, and unresolved feelings often appear. Bilgiç remarked that collective trauma—such as that experienced by refugee communities—can manifest in shared dreams and symbols, reflecting the collective consciousness. He shared insights from trauma studies, explaining that trauma fundamentally disrupts one’s inner “home,” leading to symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness.

He emphasized that healing involves re-establishing a sense of inner safety and belonging, which can be facilitated through therapy, art, and social support groups. Techniques such as Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) were highlighted as effective methods for helping individuals tell their stories, process traumatic memories, and rebuild their internal sense of home. Bilgiç pointed out that storytelling—whether through art, conversation, or writing—is a vital part of healing, allowing people to externalize and make sense of their experiences.

The moderator and Bilgiç also discussed the importance of collective memory and the shared psychological impact of collective trauma, such as war, forced displacement, and cultural alienation. He noted that dreams and nightmares often reflect these collective wounds and that understanding and addressing these unconscious signals are crucial for recovery.

The conversation then turned to women and their unique experiences with trauma related to migration. Bilgiç shared observations from his clinical practice, noting that women often face compounded stressors—displacement, cultural expectations, and gender-based violence—that make their mental health challenges more complex. He highlighted that somatization is particularly prevalent among women, as cultural taboos and language barriers may prevent them from expressing emotional distress verbally. Art therapy, social support, and community-based interventions were suggested as effective ways to help women process their emotional baggage.

Throughout the discussion, Bilgiç stressed that trauma is not a sign of weakness but a natural response to disruptive life events. He emphasized that recovery involves a process of “rebuilding the home within,” through therapy, art, community support, and self-awareness. The shared stories and dreams—whether personal or collective—serve as guides to understanding and healing these wounds.

The event concluded with gratitude from the moderator and a call for ongoing dialogue and support. Bilgiç reaffirmed the importance of creating safe spaces for expression, encouraging people to talk about their experiences, and using art and social activities as tools for resilience. He expressed hope that future generations could learn from these collective wounds and transform them into sources of strength through artistic and community efforts.

The session ended with warm appreciation, emphasizing that healing from migration-related trauma is a multifaceted journey that involves both individual effort and collective solidarity. Participants were encouraged to keep sharing stories, dreams, and emotional baggage as part of the healing process.

PANELISTS: 

Melike Guray, Psychotherapist, Set Them Free Board Member

Vedat Bilgic, Psychiatrist