When talking about undocumented immigrants, people often envision a group of people crossing borders, piling into border patrol buses and scattering and fading from sight. For these immigrants, however, the trauma of crossing borders can strain their mental health, and these changes seem to be visible only to themselves.
There is limited research on mental health issues among undocumented immigrants, with even fewer studies focusing on Chinese immigrants.
But that doesn’t mean these immigrants don’t face considerable challenges. Immigrants often face past traumas, current survival challenges, and future uncertainties. Factors such as low levels of English proficiency, high occupational stress, discrimination, immigration challenges, and cultural differences can result in significant mental stress upon arrival for Chinese undocumented immigrants.
A 2021 review of the existing research on the mental health of undocumented immigrants showed that discrimination, cultural adaptation stress, traumatic events, limited social services and healthcare resources, isolation, exploitation, and fear of immigration law enforcement have long been seen as prominent difficulties for illegal immigrants.
The good news is that as of January 1, 2024, California has expanded public health care coverage by, providing comprehensive Medi-Cal coverage to low-income residents aged 26 to 49, regardless of immigration status. This policy means that qualifying undocumented immigrants in California can now obtain health insurance that covers mental health care.
Read more at AsAmNews.com.
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