Mental Health

• Immigrants often have lower rates of mental health disorders when they first arrive, but the risk increases the longer they live in the U.S.¹.

• Sometimes being foreign born can be a protective factor but other factors like country of origin, age at immigration, and cultural background impact mental health¹.

• Depression and anxiety risks vary by ethnicity, gender, language ability, and length of stay²³⁴.

  • Social support and language proficiency can help lower these risks²³⁴.

• Substance use disorders are generally lower among first-generation immigrants, but risk increases in later generations¹.

  • This highlights the importance of cultural and community support¹.

• Other factors related to mental health outcomes are age of migration, levels of stress and low socioeconomic status⁵⁶.

• Unemployment, stress during migration, and lack of resources increase the chance of developing mood disorders⁷.

• Access to protective factors (e.g., employment, social connection, language support, and community programs) is crucial for immigrant well-being and integration⁷.

• Stress can sometimes cause mental health problems, especially when a person is already going through other difficulties⁸

• Our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are all connected, so when one is affected by stress, it can influence the others too. Taking care of our mental health helps us stay balanced and cope better with life.

• Taking care of your mental health is important, and while immigration can bring many challenges, these resources are here to provide support and guidance.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or Text 988. Also available in Spanish.

  • National Alliance on Mental Health: Call 1-800-950-6264 or Text NAMI to 741741

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

  • LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564

  • The Trevor Lifeline: 1-800-565-8860. Also available in Spanish.

  • Transgender Lifeline: 1-888-843-4564

  • BIPOC Blackline: Call or Text 1-800-604-5841

  • National DV Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or Text LOVEIS to 22522

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

  • National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or Text 1-800-422-4453

  • The Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116

  • Substance Abuse hotline (24-hour, free and confidential): 1-800-662-4357

  • Immigrant mental health directory

    • UndocuHealth Mental Health Directory - United We Dream

    • Inclusive Therapists - A Safer, Simpler Way to Find Care

    • Latinx Therapy- Directory of Latino Therapists | Podcast

    • Therapy for Black Girls

    • Feel Better, Connect with a Latinx Therapist Today

    • Asian Mental Health Collective - Building a community for Asian mental health support

    • South Asian Therapist | Mental Health Therapist and Counselling

    • Home - National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

    • LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory

    • Mental Health for Immigrants

    • Free & Low Cost Treatment Options for Mental Health and Substance Use | SAMHSA

  • Free/low-cost therapy services

    • Affordable Counseling | Affordable Therapy | Open Path Collective

    • The Place Within - Southern California

    • Rise Above The Disorder

    • Telebehavioral Health Online Clinic

    • Center for Empowering Refugees & Immigrants

    • Palo Alto University eClinic | Palo Alto University

    • MOIA Resource and Referral Guide.pdf (see pg. 19)

  • Support groups

    • Wellness Support Groups for Students – Immigrants Rising

    • Home - Parents Anonymous

    • Weekly Online Support Group | Join a Free Group Today

    • Need Help Dealing with Grief? - GriefShare

  • For children

    • Early Childhood Mental Health – First 5 Association

    • Finding Mental Healthcare for Children of Immigrants

    • Building Resilience - HealthyChildren.org

    • Parenting After Trauma: Understanding Your Child's Needs - HealthyChildren.org

    • Childhood Exposure to Violence - HealthyChildren.org

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

¹ Alegría et al., 2017 ² Alegría et al., 2008 ³ Takeuchi et al., 2007 ⁴ Williams et al., 2007 ⁵ Lasalvia et al., 2014 ⁶ Veling et al., 2011 ⁷ Foo et al., 2018 ⁸ Solberg, M. A., Laberg, J. C., & Hjemdal, O. (2020)