Mental health needs of children from undocumented Latino families: A therapist's guide

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, while the number of immigration from Mexico to the U.S. has actually declined since 2006, the number of Hispanic children born to at least one foreign-bam parent has tripled since1980. The 2000 Census identified that one in five children in this country is an immigrant or the child of an immigrant. With regard to undocumented Latino immigrants, approximately 57% of undocumented immigrants in the United States are Latinos, largely coming from Mexico. The children of these undocumented families face tremendous obstacle and challenges coming to the U.S. and once living within the country. Many of these children live with psychological health issues as a result of their immigration experience and their status or the status of their parents her in the U.S. Yet, Latinos in the U.S. receive fewer mental health services than any other groups (Kessler et al., 1994). Of particular concern is the disrupted attachment between child and parent through these experiences. This project seeks to supply therapists and other mental health professional with a guide to vi support the needs of these children and their families. By utilizing the information and strategies in this guide, therapists can become more aware of the many challenges and alleviate the psychological disparities among this population