Mental Health Challenges in Immigrant Communities In the US

clytenjeri
6 days ago
5 min read

Immigrants in the U.S. face rising psychological distress and major barriers to care. Explore key causes, latest statistics, and urgent solutions.

Mental Health Challenges in Immigrant Communities in the USA Today

Immigrants contribute enormously to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the United States, yet many carry unseen burdens involving mental health. Recent research reveals alarming upward trends in serious psychological distress and wide gaps in access to care among immigrants across the U.S.

This post explores those findings, why immigrant communities are at particular risk, and what must change to support mental well-being for all immigrants now.

📊 What Recent Research Says: Rising Psychological Distress Among Immigrants

A 2023 report by the UCLA Centre for Health Policy Research found that immigrant adults in California experienced a 50% increase in Serious psychological distress (SPD) between 2015 and 2021, rising from 6% to 9%. UCLA Centre for Health Policy Research
Among immigrants who had been in the U.S. less than five years, the increase was even sharper — 140%: from 5% SPD to 12%. UCLA Centre for Health Policy Research
The study analysed the data by various factors, including citizenship status and English language proficiency. The most vulnerable were:
- Noncitizens (with or without a green card) — showed higher SPD increases (83% and 71%, respectively) compared to naturalised citizens (33%).UCLA Centre for Health Policy Research
- Immigrants with limited or no English proficiency — SPD rose by 33% (from 6% to 8%), while those proficient saw a 67% increase (from 6% to 10%). UCLA Centre for Health Policy Research
Worryingly, many immigrants with serious psychological distress did not receive mental health care: 67% reported not seeing a mental health provider between 2019 and 2021.
- Among immigrants in the U.S., fewer than five years, 77% reported unmet mental health needs.
- Noncitizens and non-English speakers were more likely to have unmet needs compared to naturalised citizens and English speakers.
Meanwhile, a 2024 article from the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center at the University of South Florida emphasizes that the U.S. immigrant population was over 46 million in 2022, and remains under-acknowledged in mental health conversations.
The article highlights structural barriers: immigration laws, restricted access to services, socioeconomic inequalities, and the aftermath of crises (e.g., COVID-19), all of which amplify mental health vulnerabilities among immigrants.

Together, these findings paint a stark picture: for many immigrants in the U.S., mental health challenges are on the rise, yet access to care remains deeply insufficient.

Why Immigrant Communities Are Especially Vulnerable

The mental health risks among immigrants stem from a complex web of stressors and structural barriers:

•Resettlement stress & Integration Challenges

Adapting to a new country, learning a new language, navigating unfamiliar social norms, and finding employment can be emotionally taxing. For immigrants (especially under 5 years in the U.S.), this upheaval corresponds with the steepest increase in serious psychological distress.

• Legal Status & Uncertainty

Noncitizens — whether holding a green card or not are disproportionately affected. The UCLA data shows their SPD increase far outpaces that of naturalized citizens. Legal uncertainty, fear of deportation or separation, and restricted access to benefits create chronic psychological stress.

• Language & Communication Barriers

Limited English proficiency correlates with increased mental health burden and reduced likelihood of seeking help. Even among English-proficient immigrants, SPD increased significantly, indicating deeper systemic issues that extend beyond language alone.

• Social Determinants & Systemic Exclusion

As noted in the 2024 USF article, immigrants often face economic instability, limited access to social safety nets, and exclusion from services, all factors that worsen mental health outcomes. Moreover, stigma about mental health in many immigrant communities, combined with cultural misunderstandings in mainstream healthcare, discourages many from seeking help.

• Under-utilization of Mental Health Services

Despite a high need, many immigrants do not access mental health care. In California, 67% of immigrants with SPD reported going without professional mental health care during the period of 2019–2021. Underutilization is especially high among those who are new to the U.S., noncitizens, and non-English speakers.

Why This Matters Now: Immigration, Policy & Public Health

The rising rates of psychological distress among immigrants, as demonstrated by UCLA, even in a “welcoming” state like California, suggest that immigration itself is a major social determinant of mental health.

At the same time, the 2024 USF article underscores how COVID-19, economic inequality, and restrictive immigration laws have exposed pre-existing vulnerabilities, making mental health a critical, but often overlooked, public health issue for immigrants.

Ignoring this crisis not only harms individuals and families but also undermines public health, social equity, and the potential contributions of immigrant communities.

What Must Change: Toward Inclusive, Culturally-Sensitive Mental Health Support

Based on research insights and observed gaps, here are some steps needed to address mental health challenges in immigrant communities across the U.S.:

• Expand Access to Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Care

Policymakers and healthcare systems should increase availability of mental health services that account for immigrants’ language, cultural background, and legal-status concerns. For example, trauma-informed care for refugees and immigrants should be scaled up.

• Use Telehealth and Community-Based Providers

Remote mental health services and community-based providers (including lay providers and trusted community organizations) can reduce barriers tied to transportation, stigma, and distrust. The UCLA report recommends increasing such options.

• Improve Outreach & Mental Health Literacy in Immigrant Communities

Awareness campaigns, multilingual resources, and community education can help destigmatize mental health and encourage immigrants to seek help. The USF research advocates for integrating mental health support into immigrant public health policy.

• Policy Reform & Social Support — Beyond Health Care

Long-term change requires addressing systemic issues, including immigration policy, legal status, access to social services, fair labor conditions, and protection from discrimination, all of which impact mental well-being.

Conclusion: Recognizing and Responding to a Silent Crisis

The surge in serious psychological distress among immigrants documented by UCLA, combined with systemic barriers described by USF, signals a silent mental health crisis in the immigrant population of the United States.

It’s a crisis that demands attention not just from mental-health professionals, but from policymakers, communities, and society at large. Immigrants deserve access to compassionate, culturally aware mental health care. And they deserve a system that acknowledges their unique challenges and supports their well-being.

If we ignore this, we turn a blind eye to millions of lives quietly struggling

Good News for All Immigrants

Jabali Health provides culturally sensitive mental health support specifically designed for immigrants navigating the challenges of life in a new country. From coping with trauma, grief, and social isolation to managing stress, anxiety, and cultural adjustment, Jabali Health offers a safe space to process your experiences, build resilience, and improve your overall well-being.

Start your healing journey with Jabali Health today.

Book an appointment with us or contact us

530-537-8244

Email: info@jabalihealth.com