How to Optimize Your Work with Immigrants in Our Current Political Climate: Tips for Successful Interventions

The Pew Research Center (2012) estimates that as of 2010 there are 11.2 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Between 2001 and 2011 the number of immigrants who pass through ICE detention per year rose from 204,459 in 2001 to 429,247 in 2011 (National Immigration Forum, 2013). Migration represents a major challenge associated with mental health distress including high rates of depression, anxiety, somatic disorders, and substance use problems.  Moreover, immigrants in the U.S. also report high rates of discrimination. In the United States the most recent immigration policies and rhetoric have contributed to increase fear and stress among immigrants. In particular, parents and children are reporting increased anxiety and fear of being separated. Additionally, immigrants report feelings of being “othered” and unwelcomed in their environment. Furthermore, the changing rhetoric and immigration policy is also driving undocumented populations to go underground.

This webinar will provide a brief overview of the stressors and mental health difficulties that immigration populations tend to experience and how the stressors have changed in light of the current sociopolitical climate. Additionally, strategies aimed at improving the care and wellbeing of immigrants will be reviewed. This webinar will also highlight harmful myths and erroneous beliefs about the immigration population in the U.S.

At the end of this session, participants will able to:

1) Identify stressors immigrant populations in the U.S. are currently facing; how mental health, in particular anxiety, is manifested among immigrant populations; and how the current stressors have shifted in light of current sociopolitical climate.  

2) Employ brief, culturally appropriate therapeutic interventions and identify cultural nuances relevant to the immigrant population

3) Recognize and identify erroneous beliefs about immigrant populations that contribute to discriminatory behavior

Presentation level: Introductory

Research Citations:

Bas-Sarmiento, P., Saucedo-Moreno, M. J., Fernandez-Gutierrez, M., Poza-Mendez, M. (2017). Mental health in immigrants versus native populations: A systematic review of the literature. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 31, 111-121

Zapata-Roblyer, M.I., Carlos, F.L., Merten, M.J., & Gallus, K. (2017). Psychosocial factors associated with depressive symptoms among Latina immigrants in a new arrival community. Journal of Latino/a Psychology, 5(2) 103-117.

Rojas-Flores, L., Clements, M.L., Koo, J.H., & London, J. (2016). Trauma and psychological distress in Latino citizen children following parental detention and deportation. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 9(3), 352-361.

This webinar is not eligible for CE credit.