An Overview Of Mental Health Resources For Immigrant Families

According to the American Community Survey, . While immigration can offer unique opportunities, it can also pose numerous challenges to mental health and well-being. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at common mental health concerns among immigrant families in the United States. We’ll also explore several mental health resources that may be useful, whether you and your loved ones have recently immigrated or you’re considering immigrating in the future. 

Understanding mental health challenges among immigrant families

When you think about challenges faced by immigrants and their families, mental health might not be the first to come to mind. However, immigrants and refugees may be especially vulnerable to mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. 

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Immigrant children may also face unique mental health concerns. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that . 

The mental health challenges faced by immigrants may be further complicated by a lack of medical and mental health care. According to the Pew Research Center, 39% Hispanic immigrants lack health insurance, which is more than double the percentage of U.S.-born Hispanic individuals without insurance (17%). Because undocumented immigrants aren’t eligible for health plans through the Affordable Care Act, finding affordable mental health care may be another challenge. However, there may still be ways to find affordable support for medical and mental health care.  

Understanding mental health resources for immigrant families

A variety of resources are available that may help you and your loved ones manage your mental health concerns. However, navigating them may seem overwhelming, especially if you’re new to using mental health services in the United States. While the following list of resources isn’t comprehensive, it may be a good starting point if you’re not sure what kind of support you’re looking for. 

Family practices and PCPs: Primary care physicians, or PCPs, are health care providers who address general physical and mental health concerns. Your PCP can be a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. PCPs are not typically mental health specialists, but they can often refer you to the right mental health professional, depending on your symptoms. PCPs may also be able to prescribe medication for treating certain mental illnesses. 

If you and your family members all need care, you might want to consider a family practice. Family practices typically have PCPs who serve whole families. The PCPs at family practices often have extra training in treating children, infants, and mothers. 

Note that in many situations, healthcare providers are prohibited from divulging a patient’s personal information, including their immigration status. Therefore, PCPs may be a useful resource for undocumented or mixed-status families. 

Community mental health centers: These mental health clinics are designed to help people receive treatment that might otherwise be out of reach due to cost or other factors. To qualify as a Community Behavioral Health Clinic, a clinic must offer family-centered services and accept all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. This may make them a useful resource for immigrant families who might not have health insurance. These clinics often provide services to help patients understand their care options and connect them with the right resources. They may also: 

• Provide therapy or counseling
• Prescribe medication
• Offer crisis counseling or other emergency mental health support
• Offer substance use counseling, life skills training, or social skills training

Support groups: These groups allow participants to connect over common experiences, discuss their challenges, and offer each other emotional support. They may be peer-led, but they can also be led by a mental health professional, such as a counselor or social worker. 

Because support groups often cater to specific communities, you may want to look for one that centers on immigrants and their family members. Consider checking what meetings are offered at your local community centers or mental health clinics. Immigrant families may also find assistance online, including through the Immigrants Rising support group for undocumented immigrants. 

Online resources: Websites and online platforms may offer additional resources for immigrants. For example, the  (NAMI) provides information on finding culturally sensitive therapists, as well as mental health information in multiple languages. You can also try using an online provider directory to find a mental health professional in your area who specializes in working with immigrants. 

Navigating mental health as an immigrant can be challenging

Get the support you need from a therapist

Even with help, finding affordable mental health support may not always be easy, especially if you don’t have health insurance. In 2023, Mental Health America reported that for the majority of adults in America with an unmet mental healthcare needs, cost was the reason they didn’t get care. In these cases, online therapy may be another resource worth exploring. Through platforms like BetterHelp, you can work with a licensed therapist for a monthly fee, with no need to navigate insurance. 

As mentioned above, depression, anxiety, and PTSD can be common among immigrants and refugees. Research shows that online therapy can be effective for mental health challenges often faced by immigrant families. In a 2017 review, researchers analyzed data from 373 studies of internet-based therapy. They found that online therapy effectively reduced symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, depression, and more.