issues and awareness
DESCRIPTION
Research brief on the mental health of undocumented transitional-aged youth in the United States.TRANSCRIPT
√
It is estimated that there are 26,000 undocumented
youth currently living in California. 1 These youth were
brought to the United States by their parents and have
spent their lives growing up in this country, becoming just
like any other American. These youth experience unique
challenges when they age into the transitional
time of their lives
between the ages of 16
and 25 and face moving
out of their family
homes into higher
education or the work
force.
Who are undocumented Transitional-‐Aged Youth (TAY)?
UCLA Department of Social Welfare
1
February 2012
Responses to these mental health issues have been rare.
There has been some consideration of the needs of
new immigrants and refugees but this has not led
to significant service development.
[A review of international policy ]
WHY WE MUST IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR UNDOCUMENTED TRANSITIONAL-‐AGED YOUTH
UCLA Department of Social Welfare
ISSUES & AWARENESS WHO are Undocumented TAY? 1
Mental Health Challenges 2
2
What unique challenges to mental health do undocumented
transitional-‐aged youth face? Living as an undocumented transitional-‐aged
youth in the United States presents many
stressors such as struggles with identity, stigma,
acculturation stress, fear of deportation, and
limited access to resources. Additionally,
undocumented youth are forced to adapt to
social barriers and isolation, work and education
limitations and legal exclusions from society after
coming to terms with their stigmatized identity.
The discrimination that undocumented
immigrants face increases their susceptibility to
developing mental illness. 2
Nunc cursus magna quis
Donec sit amet arcu.
1. Undocumented immigrants experience significantly more traumatic events than the general population, especially during their initial migration. 3 These traumas lead to high instances of Post-‐Traumatic Stress Disorder among the undocumented community. 4 Social stigma is correlated with low self-‐esteem, fear, shame, guilt, and insecurity among undocumented immigrants. 5 Undocumented immigrants are more likely than their naturalized peers to be diagnosed with anxiety, adjustment and alcohol disorders. 6 Fears of deportation, being detained or having a family member detained significantly increase anxiety, depression, feelings of abandonment, eating and sleeping disorders, post-‐traumatic stress disorder and behavior changes among children of undocumented parents. 7
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The stress of existing within two cultures, specifically among immigrants, is highly correlated with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation. 18, 19 Chronic fear and stress impede development, hinder the development of mature relationships and have been linked to the development of anxiety disorders in Latino immigrant adolescents. 20
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among the TAY population in the United States 21 and discrimination leads to an increase in suicidality among the minority TAY population. 22 Undocumented TAY’s status leaves them ineligible for health insurance. Recent funding cuts to trauma centers and other public sources that cover care for immigrants make it difficult for them to treat their health needs. 23
When undocumented individuals are able to receive care, it may be culturally insensitive and not meet their needs. Many diagnostic tools used for assessment of mental disorders are euro-‐centric and are frequently inaccurate in assessing the needs of individuals from other cultures. 24 There is a shortage of Multi-‐lingual mental health professionals, which impedes accessibility for the Spanish-‐speaking immigrant population from accessing mental health service. 25
7.
8.
9.
10.
1 Pew Hispanic Center (http://www.pewhispanic.org) 2 Sue,S.,Fujino,D.C.,Hu,L.,Takeuchi,D.,&Zane,N.S.W. (1991). Community mental health services for ethnic minority groups: A test of the cultural responsiveness hypothesis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59,533–540. 3 Hollifield, M., Warner, T. D., Lian, N., Krakow, B., Jenkins, J. H., Kesler,J., et al. (2002). Measuring trauma and health status in refugees: A critical review. JAMA, 288, 611–621. 4 Rasmussen, A., Rosenfeld, B., Reeves, K., Keller, A.S. (2007) The effectsof torture-‐related injuries on long-‐ term psychological distress in a Punjabi Sikh sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 116, 734. 5 Dumon WA. (1983). Effects of undocumented migration for individuals concerned, Int Migr.: 21: 218-‐229. 6 González, M.J. & González-‐Ramos, G., (2005). Mental Health Care for New Hispanic Immigrants: Innovative Approaches in Contemporary Clinical Practice. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Social Work Practice Press. 7 Kremer, J.D., Moccio, K.A., & Hamell, J.W. (2009). Severing a lifeline: The neglect of citizen children in America’s Immigration policy. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. (p.5) 8 Alaniz, M.L., (2002) Migration, acculturation displacement: Migratory workers, and “substance abuse”. Substance Use & Misuse, 37, 123-‐1257 9 Arbona, C., Olvera, N., Rodriguez, N., Hgan, J., Linares, A., Wiesner, M. (2010). Acculturative stress among Documented and Undocumented Latino Immigrants in the United States. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 10 Cuadra, M.E. (2009). Anxiety Current Trends – Anxiety and PTSD in Latino Children of Immigrants: The INS Raid Connection to the Development of These Disorders. National Association of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Social Workers. Available at http://www.helpstartshere.org/mindand-‐spirit/anxiety/anxiety-‐ current-‐trends-‐anxiety-‐and-‐ptsd-‐in-‐latinochildren-‐of-‐immigrants-‐the-‐ins-‐raid-‐connection-‐to-‐the-‐ development-‐of-‐these-‐disorders.html 11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Welcome to WISQARS (Web-‐based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System). 2006a. 12 Goldston, D. B., Davis Molock, S., Whitbeck, L. B., Murakami, J. L., Zayas, L. H., & Nagayama Hall, G. C. (2008). Cultural considerations in adolescent suicide prevention and psychosocial treatment. American Psychologist, 63, 14–31. 13 Kirkner, R. (2011, October 7). Trauma Funding Cuts May Jeopardize Care of Immigrants. ACEP News. 14 Perez Foster, R.M. (2001). When immigration is trauma: Guidelines for the individual and family clinician. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 71, 153–170. 15 Vega, W.A., Kolody, B., Valle, J.R., (1987). Migration and mental health: An empirical test of depression risk factors among immigrant Mexican women, Int Migr Rev: 21: 512-‐530
Department of Social Welfare Luskin School of Public Affairs
University of California, Los Angeles
References
• www.latinoshoy.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/illegal-‐immigration-‐debate-‐hits-‐postseceret-‐com/
• www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/dec/19/dream-‐act-‐dies-‐in-‐senate/
3
Images