Mental Health In Immigrant Families: Overcoming Disparities In Mental Health Care And Health Services

Millions of immigrants in the United States may live with unique challenges in daily life, including removal from cultural supports, difficulty finding community, marginalization, xenophobia, and multicultural family differences. Although not all aspects of immigration may be negative, those in immigrant families may face unique mental health risks due to their experiences. Understanding these risks and available support options, such as therapy, may benefit individuals in immigrant families. 

Immigration and mental health in families 

Immigrants and refugees tend to have a higher risk of experiencing mental illness. Adversity, migration experiences, and cultural differences may increase the risk of conditions like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental illnesses. Chronic stress and physical illness may also be more common in immigrant communities. 

The World Health Organization identifies five key themes for improving mental health in these groups: 

How to improve mental health care for immigrants

• Community support
• Basic needs and security (shelter, food, self-care, medical care) 
• Destigmatizing immigration 
• Overcoming adversity and trauma
• Having access to services 

Unique mental health barriers faced by immigrant families

A 2022 survey stated that more than 34 million legal immigrants live in the United States. Many immigrants come to the US to start families, accompany their children, and engage in romantic relationships. The most common countries of migrants to the US include Mexico, India, and China.

As immigrants adjust to a new life in a new place, they may face unique challenges that can impact their mental health and the mental health of their families and loved ones. Several of these challenges are discussed below.  

Marginalization and oppression

Marginalization and oppression can be experienced by immigrants, especially those who do not speak English as a first language or who come from countries facing stigma and discrimination. Immigration policies in the US and the way immigrants are treated by the government and community members can lead to chronic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental disorders. 

One study found that the marginalization of Latino workers may be directly linked to poor health, anxiety, and stress. Individuals may carry these impacts home with them, potentially impacting their family members. Some families may struggle to reach out for mental health services due to stigma. 

Language barriers

When someone who does not speak English as a first language arrives in the US, they may struggle to connect with others. They may face stereotypes and misconceptions from others due to xenophobia, a fear of foreigners and differences. Immigrants may fear speaking their native languages in public or feel uncomfortable interacting with their families in the ways they normally would. 

Learning English as a second language may lead to stress, as it may be difficult to fully express sentiments or one’s true personality, humor, and emotions in another language. Insufficient language proficiency in immigrants has been associated with a higher risk of mental illnesses, including anxiety, PTSD, and psychotic disorders. 

Cultural differences

Entering a new culture may cause culture shock for a family, potentially impacting immigrant health and wellness. If children of immigrants are also living in the family, the immigrant children and adolescents may struggle to integrate into a new school system, learn a new measurement system, and get used to a different way of teaching. In addition, children may struggle to make friends, understand their peers, and adjust to a new home. 

Adults may also struggle with cultural differences, especially if there is no place to practice cultural traditions or build community. Family members may believe they can only embrace their authentic selves at home. However, in multicultural families, where one parent or partner is American, and the other is an immigrant, the immigrant spouse may experience alienation or find it challenging to share their culture with the family, which may cause them to believe that they’ve “lost” part of their authentic self. This experience may contribute to loneliness and depression. 

Distance from family and separation of parents from children

Immigrants often leave family members behind in their home countries. Not being able to connect with family members as one did previously may contribute to a sense of isolation and fear. In addition, if emergencies occur, an individual may experience a sense of helplessness, which can lead to anxiety. In some cases, immigrants may be separated from their children or parents by force, which may cause traumatic stress. 

If someone loses a family member due to death or forced separation overseas, they may also experience complicated and traumatic grief, potentially involving guilt for not being present. These challenges may be improved by speaking to a compassionate therapist about one’s experiences. Some therapists have experience working with immigrants, and some may be immigrants themselves. 

Disparities in physical and mental health services

Immigrant families may lack access to resources like mental healthcare, refugee mental health resources, physical healthcare, and community health centers, especially as they work through the immigration process before they receive residency or citizenship.

Immigrant parents and individuals may have limited options for jobs, medical insurance, and financial support, significantly impacting mental health outcomes. If an immigrant parent cannot work, their partner may be required to financially support them until their legal immigration is complete. This difficulty may lead to loneliness, helplessness, depression, and difficulty connecting with the family. 

Resources for immigrant families’ mental health

Immigrant families may find that various aspects of life impact mental health positively or negatively. Below are a few factors to consider. 

Community and cultural support groups 

You may also look for online groups hosting social events to reconnect with people from your culture. Some groups may also be focused on families, which could allow you to bring your children and allow them to connect with others from their culture or who speak their language.  

Resources that focus on mental health in immigrant families

Family resources can ensure support for every family member, including advocacy, community, and legal, financial, or social support. Below are a few organizations that focus specifically on family: 

• El Centro for Hispanic families 
• Ayúdame Non-Profit
• National Community Action Partnership
• Legal Counsel for Youth and Children
• National Council on Family Relations
• United We Dream for mental health services 
• Rescue.org for refugees and families in crisis  
• Africano Waltham for African immigrants 
• Mondiant Initiative for refugee individuals and families 

You may also search online for local services offering family resources and mental health support. 

Find culturally informed professional support

Chat with a compassionate counselor online

Find support for challenges immigrants and their children face

Living with immigration challenges can be difficult for families. Family therapy may be a helpful resource. Talking with a culturally informed therapist can offer a way to explore mental health in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Individuals can also take advantage of therapy to talk about how immigration has impacted them. 

However, it may be challenging to access in-person therapy if one does not have health insurance, is not a legal immigrant, or has financial difficulties. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be more accessible. Clients can access support from a licensed therapist via phone, video, or live chat. In addition, online platforms are often more cost-effective and convenient, allowing individuals to receive accessible care from home or any location with an internet connection. 

Studies show that internet-based interventions can be effective for immigrants. In a 2024 study, researchers found that digital platforms were “associated with a statistically significant reduction in depressive and anxious symptoms among immigrants and refugees.”