Immigrants and refugees are deeply rooted in California and provide significant cultural, familial, and economic contributions to the state. California’s immigrant and refugee communities face long-standing barriers to educational attainment, economic opportunities, and accessing social services and health care. Many have faced egregious violations of their rights, safety, and mental wellbeing. Traumatic and often violent migratory experiences, coupled with the stigma and misconception of receiving mental health services, put the physical and mental wellbeing of immigrants and refugees at particular risk. In addition, many immigrants and refugees from war-torn countries have experienced trauma, which can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
After interviews with numerous refugees and immigrants across the state, our report provides recommendations on how to best address this group’s mental health needs. Our interviews also revealed common barriers to receiving care, which we also offer recommendations on how to address.