More than 25,000 migrants and asylum-seekers have arrived mostly from South and Central America since late August 2022. They are fleeing the collapse of their economies and as one social worker puts it, “misery.” Many came to Chicago on a bus from Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Chicago and other sanctuary cities that embrace immigrants would provide much-needed relief “to our small, overrun border towns.” The buses haven’t stopped since.
WBEZ interviewed more than 30 people to understand the emotional toll migrants face, the army of helpers who are filling in the gaps of a frayed mental health system and what’s at stake. Some of those helpers’ efforts are catching the attention of leaders in other big cities where migrants are heading.
Just getting in front of a therapist or a social worker can be difficult for even the most savvy and persistent. With a shortage of mental health workers, waiting lists for an appointment can be months long.
Layer on being new to this country, speaking a different language, having no health insurance and trying to find a mental health provider who understands your culture. Getting help can seem impossible. And that’s if you know help exists.
The Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health, University of Chicago’s Crown Family School and Lurie Children’s Center for Childhood Resilience are training hundreds of people who are on the front lines where migrants are staying. They include case managers and shelter supervisors — not people with a medical background.
The idea is to help migrants feel less isolated and to try to prevent the most extreme outcomes, such as suicide.
Read more on Chicago.Suntimes.com.
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