Most immigrants face dangerous and uncertain journeys, leaving family and friends behind just for a chance at a new life. However, even if they are lucky enough to settle in the United States, their struggle is not yet over. They will still have to battle racism, stereotyping, loneliness, and a lack of belonging, all of which take a toll on mental health.
A lot of immigrants were forced to leave their parents behind, creating both physical and mental distance. This can cause these immigrants to grow disconnected from their culture, especially if they do not feel that their culture would be accepted by their new surroundings. A lack of belonging and not enough people to reach out to has amplified mental health issues.
Furthermore, there exists a lack of acceptance in certain cultures in regard to mental health issues. Many disorders have been majorly stigmatized across the world. In many cultures, it is frowned upon to speak about struggles with mental health outside of the home. This applies in the United States and is an even bigger issue as many immigrants try to avoid stereotypes. Many do not want to feed into racist ideas that are already held by some Americans, stopping them from reaching out for help.
This is a major issue within the United States that has not been sufficiently addressed. America has the resources to reach out to the people who need assistance, in the form of education or medical professionals. It needs to be known that mental health can not be ignored, by the citizens or by the government.
Source/Photo: NAMI, Mental Health Challenges in Immigrant Communities
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