Coming to a new country looking for opportunities and a better future for you and your loved ones isn’t easy. It takes courage and determination to leave home behind and cut your own path. Adapting to a different culture, new customs and an unfamiliar language — plus financial stressors — can take an enormous toll on your mental health.
It’s relatively new that people have begun to openly discuss the importance of mental well-being. But there are resources and organizations set up specifically to help immigrants adjust. The most important thing to remember is: You don’t have to do it alone.
The Importance of Mental Health for Immigrants
Moving to a different country can be challenging for many reasons: You are far away from your family and friends, you may not speak the language fluently, and feelings of isolation can seep in. There are experts you can turn to for help, often at no or low fee.
FindHello/USAHello
FindHello/USAHello is a mobile app that allows immigrants in the US to find essential relief resources, such as healthcare and counseling, legal aid, immigration services, and education. It’s available in many languages and has an easy map-like interface to help you find resources nearby.
National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
The NAFC is an organization that ensures that the medically underserved have access to affordable, quality health care, with a particular emphasis on immigrants. By visiting their website https://nafcclinics.org/, you can find a clinic that offers affordable or even free medical treatment and mental health counseling near you (including options for the uninsured). It has a nationwide presence and provides excellent options for those seeking help.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a nonprofit organization with over 600 NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates across the US. Many NAMI affiliates offer an array of free support and education programs. NAMI’s online support groups and helpline are available for support and counseling over the phone, in both English and Spanish. You can visit nami.org directly or contact the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640, or email at helpline@nami.org.
Immigrants Rising Virtual Wellness Support Groups
Designed specifically for the mental health needs of undocumented teen immigrants, this California-based organization offers online support groups designed to help young people feel less alone. Groups are closed, creating a confidential space, and sessions are led by trained mental health providers and clinicians. Support groups have 10-12 participants and are designed for different populations — including undocumented Black, Latinx, API, and LGBTQ+ youth. While they’re not technically a therapy session, sharing stories and connecting with others can help undocumented teens feel more connected to the world.
Visit Immigrantsrising.org/supportgroups.
Inclusive Therapists
Inclusive Therapists is an organization that believes all people of all abilities and bodies deserve equal access to identity-affirming, culturally responsive care. Their approach is to provide affordable mental care treatment to the most vulnerable sectors of society, with immigrants being one of them, treating them with warmth and respect. You can visit https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/ and check for a therapist near you; they have affiliated mental health professionals across the country. Their website is available in dozens of languages, so accessibility isn’t a concern.
Types of Treatment
The treatment you get depends on your specific experiences and needs. The two most common types of mental health treatment are:
Therapy
First of all, let’s break down the stigma against therapy. Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the US have received mental health treatments. And it’s easy to see why: Talking to a professional is a simple and effective way to work through problems and leave feeling significantly better. You can speak to a therapist by yourself or in a group with others who share similar experiences. Other accepted forms of therapy may include art, music, dance and psychotherapy.
Medication
For those suffering from clinical conditions, medication may be prescribed in combination with therapy. It’s important to remember that only certain types of providers can prescribe medication, and the process to identifying the right drug or combination of drugs can be time-intensive and challenging.
Who can offer treatment
There are many professionals who are properly trained and licensed to help people cope with their mental health issues properly, according to their actual needs. In any case, it’s always good for you to be sure you are being treated by a properly certified mental health professional, since this will impact the quality of your treatment.
Service providers that are trained to treat mental illnesses in the United States may include:
Primary care providers: these are medical professionals who are licensed to treat general health problems and can prescribe medication.
Psychiatrists: medical doctors who are specialized and licensed to check for mental health problems, provide therapy, and prescribe medications.
Psychologists: professionals licensed to test mental health problems and give therapy. Psychologists cannot prescribe medications.
Social workers: they are professionals who are trained and licensed to assess and treat mental health problems. Once they have assessed the patient’s needs, social workers proceed to refer the patient to the right type of mental health professional according to the conditions shown.
Peer specialists: these are professionals who have experienced mental health conditions and are trained to offer emotional support and provide counseling by sharing their own experiences with mental illnesses.
You Are Not Alone
Far from home doesn’t have to mean alone. There’s a vast community of people with shared experiences eager to help smooth the transition to a new country. Keeping connected to loved ones back home is also crucial, whether through regular video chats, phone calls or even money transfers. And remember: Never be afraid to ask for help when you need it — we can all use a helping hand from time to time.
