How can I get mental health support and treatment as an immigrant, refugee, or undocumented person in the United States?

As an immigrant, refugee, or undocumented person, you might experience unique challenges and circumstances that impact your mental health. Immigrants, refugees, and undocumented persons experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress than does the general U.S. population. They are also more likely to face barriers getting mental health treatment. This happens for several reasons, including but not limited to:

Lack of information about how mental healthcare works in the U.S.
Fear of healthcare providers asking about immigration status
Not having access to health insurance
Not being able to afford mental health treatment
Healthcare providers having limited knowledge of your culture and values
Having no healthcare providers in your area that speak your native language
Mental health stigma or lack of information about mental health
Mental health being a lower priority than working, being in school, or caring for other family members

Many immigrants, refugees, and undocumented persons in the U.S. need help with their mental health. You are not alone. The information and resources listed below will help you:

Understand different types of mental health professionals, mental health treatments, and mental health treatment settings in the U.S.
Learn about your rights within the U.S. healthcare system, including your right to privacy
Learn about whether you can apply for health insurance in the U.S. based on your immigration status and where to look for mental health treatment if you do not have health insurance
Find mental health professionals that offer culturally considerate care to immigrants, refugees, and undocumented persons
Find mental health professionals who provide free or low-cost mental health services
Fight mental health stigma and give yourself permission to seek help when you need it
Connect with peers in your community that experience similar mental health challenges
Access other resources that can help you care for your mental health and well-being

Understand different types of mental health professionals, mental health treatments, and mental health treatment settings in the U.S.

When looking for mental healthcare in a new country, it can be hard to know where to start. Visit NAMI’s Treatments web page to learn about different types of mental health professionals, different types of therapy and treatment settings, mental health medications, and steps for getting treatment during a mental health crisis:

Learn about your rights within the U.S. healthcare system, including your right to privacy

If you are searching for mental health care as an immigrant, refugee, or undocumented person, it’s important to know your rights. As a consumer of mental health care in the U.S., you have the right to:

Speak with a mental health care professional in a safe and confidential environment.
Receive a clear explanation of your diagnosis and the recommendations being made for your care.
Receive a clear explanation of the medications you are being asked to take, how they are supposed to work, and all the possible side effects you may experience.
Speak with a mental health care professional in the language and mode of communication that is effective for you. If your mental healthcare provider does not speak your native language, you may request a qualified interpreter.
Receive services without having to disclose your immigration status. You can read this article from GoodRxHealth to learn more: Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants: Your Rights to Insurance, Care, and Privacy.
File a complaint if you feel that a mental health service provider has discriminated against you because of your race, ethnicity, or immigration status. Visit the NAMI HelpLineKnowledge Articles How do I file a complaint against my psychiatrist/psychotherapist? and How do I file a complaint against a medical facility/provider? to learn more.

Learn about whether you can apply for health insurance in the U.S. based on your immigration status

Many immigrants and refugees in the U.S. carry a “lawful” immigration status and are eligible to apply for health insurance for themselves or their loved ones. Most undocumented immigrants are not eligible for public health insurance in the U.S., but they are eligible to pay for private insurance through their employer or through the health insurance marketplace. Undocumented immigrants can also use low-cost and free services to get mental health treatment. Review the resources below to learn more.

Immigration Status and the Marketplace Healthcare.gov article defines who is considered to have “lawful” immigration status. Immigrants and refugees with “lawful” immigration status can apply for public or private insurance in the U.S. This article
National Immigration Law Center KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - Is It Safe to Apply for Health Insurance or Seek Health Care? web article reviews important information about applying for insurance as an immigrant, refugee, or undocumented person in the U.S. Read the article in Spanish here.
How Immigrants Can Obtain Health Coverage healthinsurance.org article contains information on applying for health insurance as a “lawful” immigrant in the U.S. The article explains that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and describes other ways that undocumented immigrants can seek health care.

Find mental health professionals that offer culturally considerate care to immigrants, refugees, and undocumented persons

You deserve mental health help that honors your unique racial, ethnic, and cultural background and respects how these factors play a role in your mental health and well-being. Use the resources below to find a therapist who is experienced in providing care to immigrants, refugees, and/or undocumented persons:

NAMI tips for finding mental healthcare that fits your cultural background outlines tips for connecting with a mental health professional who is considerate of your cultural background.
How can I find a therapist who is a good fit for me? NAMI HelpLine Knowledge Article outlines tips for finding a therapist that is a good fit for your unique mental health needs.
NAMI HelpLine’s Identity & Cultural Dimensions Knowledge Articles contain resources for therapist directories that are specific to different cultural identities. Latinx Therapy and Asian Mental Health Collective are two examples of such directories listed in the articles.
United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country. As a part of their UndocuHelath initiative, they have compiled a mental health directory of therapists around the U.S. who serve immigrated and undocumented individuals at low or no cost.
InclusiveTherapists.com is a therapist directory that can help connect you with therapists who share your cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. Explore a diverse range of specialties, identities, and payment options to find mental health professionals who resonate with your needs.

Find mental health professionals who provide free or low-cost mental health services

NAMI HelpLine’s Where can I get help paying for my medication? Knowledge Article contains several resources for getting financial help paying for your mental health medications.
NAMI HelpLine’s I need to see a Psychiatrist/Therapist. How can I find one? Knowledge Article contains several resources for finding mental health care providers at low cost or no cost. The following resources from this article may be especially helpful:
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator is a source of information about treatment facilities in the United States or US Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems. Use the treatment locator to search by location, and narrow the search by distance, service type, service setting, type of care, payment accepted, whether payment assistance is available, and more. Contact SAMHSA at (800) 662-4357. 
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services) operates the Find a Health Center webpage, which offers a treatment locator to search for Federally-Funded Health Centers that provide care to underserved areas or populations regardless of ability to pay. 
- Open Path is a non-profit nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing in-office and online mental health care at reduced rates to clients in financial need. Open Path requires an initial, one-time “lifetime” membership fee of $59. You can reach Open Path at (800) 268-2833.

Fight mental health stigma and give yourself permission to seek help when you need it

For many immigrant communities, negative beliefs about mental health treatment keep people from seeking help when they need it. People in your community might not believe in mental health or they might not think mental health is as important as other priorities.People in your community might also have fears that prevent them from seeking mental health help, like fear of being discriminated against by U.S. citizens or of being followed by U.S. immigration enforcement.

No matter what your racial, cultural, or ethnic background is, your mental health is important.You deserve to ask for mental health help if you need it, and being honest about your mental health challenges can help fight stigma and raise awareness of the importance of mental health in your community. Click on the links below to read about the challenges and successes that other immigrants, refugees, and undocumented persons have experienced on their mental health journeys.

Connect with peers in your community that experience similar mental health challenges

People who have received mental health services and who work to support others through their mental health journey are called “peers”. Talking to peers, or other immigrants, refugees, or undocumented persons who have received mental health care in the U.S., can help you feel less alone, build a sense of community, and connect with mental health resources in your area. Use the resources below to connect with peer support for your mental health.

Connect with your local NAMI affiliate and ask about resources for immigrated, undocumented, and refugee persons in your area. You can also ask about mental health support groups and education programs available through your local NAMI affiliate.
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Participants gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others. Contact your local NAMI affiliate to learn more.
NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Participants gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. Contact your local NAMI affiliate to learn more.
Immigrants Rising Wellness Support Groups are 6-week groups led by trained mental health providers. The groups are designed to help undocumented people feel less alone and more understood. The weekly virtual sessions are closed; meaning that advance registration is required, with the goal of creating a confidential space where 10-12 participants can feel grounded, find community, and share their unique experiences, challenges, and successes with one another.

Access other resources that can help you care for your mental health and well-being

NAMI’s Compartiendo Esperanza is a three-part video series that explores the journey of mental wellness in Hispanic/Latinx communities through dialogue, storytelling, and a guided discussion on Youth and Mental Wellness: “Sanando Juntos”/“Healing Together”; Community Leaders and Mental Wellness: “Las Raíces de Nuestra Sanación”/“The Roots of Our Healing”; and Latinx Families and Mental Wellness: “La Mesa”/“The Table”.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free, confidential help if you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicide crisis. Call or text 988, or chat at www.988lifeline.org in English or Spanish to be connected to a trained crisis counselor. Deaf and Hard of Hearing call 711, then 988. For other language support, you must call 988 and ask for help in the language you speak. They will get you a Tele-Interpreter.
Informed Immigrant provides a digital hub and offline network offering the most up-to-date guidance on mental health, legal aid, and DACA information for the undocumented immigrant community.
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) has a Mental Health for Migrant & Refugee Communities web page that lists additional mental health-related resources for migrant families, children, youth, and others.
USA Hello has a webpage that provides information on mental illness, mental health treatment, and mental health resources for immigrants in the U.S.

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