As Documented reported in the past, access to mental health services can be difficult for immigrants due to stigmas and other circumstances that are more pressing, such as housing and food. We have also reported on the intuitive ways that immigrant communities have come together to address mental health: one of the stories we wrote, for example, highlighted how a group of mothers used the art of embroidery to create a safe space for mothers to share the experiences impacting their mental health.
For Mental Health Awareness Month, Documented asked the members of our Spanish newsletter, Documented Semanal, how they coped and dealt with mental health. This is what they said:
Kat B., an immigrant from Italy living in Paterson, New Jersey.
Some of the things I see in my acquaintances is that they emotionally depend on acquaintances from their country of origin without making a leap to expand their horizons and meet new people. Sometimes they consume comments about negative experiences that close their will to investigate and explore.
A construction worker from Corona, Queens.
Thank you for the question about mental health. Solitude is a bad partner for an immigrant, but it is the only partner that one has when someone migrates looking to prosper. It becomes like an addiction … In my free time I read books from my library at home to learn more about life. I am healthy and working in construction here in New York.
Kender, 21, LGBTQ migrant in New York City.
I am alone here in New York and I do not have a place to stay. I have not been able to apply for asylum because I do not have the correct information. I was in Chicago before and then I came here [New York] with the idea of working on my status, and finding employment. But I am lost. I have looked for housing in the shelters but they tell me that I cannot get a room. I am mentally tired, and I really need help with my mental health and medical check ups.
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Anonymous, Queens.
In my case, I receive psychiatric care for my chronic depression once a month and psychotherapy twice a month. The location operated between 72nd St and Roosevelt. But, since the pandemic, the consultation is via telephone. Lately they have implemented a video call system, the disadvantage of this is that I have to be in a private place to answer the video call. With the phone call, I could answer it while walking or in another public place. Of course, I had to step aside to make the conversation more confidential.
Mental health resources for immigrants in New York:
- Mental Health Services for Chinese New Yorkers
- Mental Health Resources for Immigrants in New York
- Free Services in NYC: Childcare, Mental Health, Housing and More
