MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

JANUARY - IMMIGRANT MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

ARTICLES + ORGANIZATIONS:

FIND A HEALTH CENTER: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

FIND A FREE OR CHARITABLE CLINIC: https://www.nafcclinics.org/find-clinic

 

Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health: CIMH works to promote awareness of and access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services through education, advocacy and resource sharing in order to improve and facilitate access to services for those who are undocumented or of mixed status.

https://ourcimh.org/

 

Informed Immigrant: There is a tremendous amount of uncertainty in today’s immigration enforcement environment. Not knowing what you can expect for your future, or the futures of your family and friends, is stressful. The information in this guide provides tips for managing the emotional and spiritual well-being of yourself and others.

https://www.informedimmigrant.com/

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Immigrant Child Health Toolkit: This section of the toolkit addresses mental health considerations for immigrant children and pediatric assessments for children who may need mental health services.

https://www.informedimmigrant.com/resources/immigrant-child-health-toolkit/

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immigrants Rising: Immigrants Rising’s Mental Health Connector provides undocumented young people with psychological support, allowing you to access your strengths and resiliency in order to achieve your personal goals and healing.

https://immigrantsrising.org/mental-health-connector/

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ARTICLES + ORGANIZATIONS (Philadelphia):

Philadelphia Refugee Health collaborative: Formed in September 2010, the Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative (PRHC) is a regional coalition consisting of Philadelphia’s three refugee resettlement agencies and eight refugee health clinics. The core mission of the Collaborative is to create an equitable system of refugee health care in the Philadelphia region that ensures a consistently high standard of care for all newly arrived refugees. Each year, PRHC provides domestic health screenings, primary care (including newborn, pediatrics, adult medicine, geriatric, obstetric and gynecologic care) and access to laboratory, radiology and subspecialty services to 800 newly arrived refugees. PRHC also provides ongoing primary care and women’s health services to established refugee patients.

http://philarefugeehealth.org/

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Nationalities Service Center: NSC’s Health and Wellness Program helps refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and victims of torture connect with needed case management, health care, mental health care, and wellness support. We offer an integrated model of care, matching clients with needed case management, health care, mental health care and wellness support.

https://nscphila.org/promoting-health-and-wellness

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barrier to receiving proper mental health care: LANGUAGE

  • Many immigrants don't speak English

  • different dialects can complicate translations

 

How we can help:

  • Develop more informational campaigns in partnership with local community foreign language media

  • Make more foreign language mental health information available in places immigrants frequent (restaurants, social clubs, house of faith, barbers, etc)

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barrier to receiving proper mental health care: STIGMA

  • in some immigrant communities, mental health concerns are actively ignored or people are discouraged from seeking help

  • Many children of immigrants believe that their mental health needs cannot or should not be validated as their trauma seems trivial compared to what their parents went through. (ThinkGlobalHealth.org) 

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barrier to receiving proper mental health care: LACK OF CULTURAL COMPETENCY

  • Cultural upbringing and experiences are minimalized, misunderstood, or dismissed

  • Lack of cultural understanding or cultural context

  • Faith leaders guide followers to "pray it away"

  • Fear of racial profiling or exposing them

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How we can help:

  • "Mental health professionals also need culturally competent training on the unique circumstances of children of immigrants and how to help them know how and where to seek support" (ThinkGlobalHealth.org)

  • Nurture relationships with faith leaders, as many immigrants turn to their faith leaders before seeking help from a health care provider. Houses of faith can be a great forum to spread mental health information and resources

  • "Facilitate affordable and non discriminatory access to care regardless of legal status, ensuring financial coverage of mental health services and care provided" (WHO)

  • Provide person-centered care that is respectful of cultural differences

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barrier to receiving proper mental health care: ACCESSIBILITY

  • lower access to healthcare due to lower paying jobs without benefits and visa issues as some immigrants are undocumented

  • lack of transportation, or financial means to afford public transit

 

How we can help:

  • Look to other countries best practices, such as in Norway immigrants can receive assistance with securing employment from a designated government worker, alleviating stress for children and promoting the parents' financial stability

  • "Provide clear information on mental health care entitlements and how to receive services (eg. through reception centers community outreach, schools, religious or cultural settings" (WHO)

  • "Outreach to at-risk groups (eg. unaccompanied minors, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as LGBTIQ+)" (WHO)

  • "Facilitate the engagement of multiple sectors and systems (eg law enforcement, protection, social services and education) to integrate mental health considerations and support and ensure referral and access to mental health services" (WHO)

DECEMBER - ANXIETY RESOURCES

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

ARTICLES

 

Anxiety and Depression Association of America focuses on improving quality of life for those with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research. ADAA helps people find treatment, resources, and support.

https://adaa.org/

 

HelpGuide  is a small independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s top 10 mental health websites.

https://www.helpguide.org/home-pages/anxiety.htm

 

Healthy Minds Philly offers tools and resources to support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Philadelphians. Healthy Minds Philly is an initiative of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability services, city of Philadelphia. 

https://healthymindsphilly.org/

 

Mental Health America is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.

https://mhanational.org/
 

Panic Disorder:

ARTICLES

 

Penn Psychiatry: Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety is an internationally renowned research and clinical facility that offers state-of-the-art treatment programs specifically designed for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Social Anxiety (SAD), Panic Disorder (PD), Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Specific Phobias. 

https://www.med.upenn.edu/ctsa/panic.html

 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

ARTICLES

 

International OCD Foundation aims to improve outcomes for individuals with OCD and related disorders by: Providing resources, Promoting awareness, Increasing access to effective treatment through: educating mental health professionals about evidence-based treatments, providing a forum for professional collaboration and networking and supporting research into the causes of and treatments for OCD and related disorders.

https://iocdf.org/

 

Einstein Healthcare: Mental and Behavioral Health utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to perform assessments. Staff will evaluate and formulate an anxiety disorder treatment plan. Mental health therapies and rehabilitative services are very helpful for patients with anxiety disorders.

https://www.einstein.edu/mental-health/conditions/anxiety-disorder

 

Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia:

ARTICLES

 

Substance Induced Anxiety:

ARTICLES


 

Disorders.org is a guide to understanding mental health disorders and available treatments. This website also has listings of Counselors, Therapists, Treatment Centers, Support and Therapy Groups and Psychiatrists near you to get the support you or someone close to you may need. 

https://www.disorders.org/anxiety/substance-induced-anxiety-disorder/


Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

https://www.samhsa.gov/

NOVEMBER - VETERAN'S RESOURCES

HOTLINES

Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 (also serves family members and friends!)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 800-662-HELP
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-NAMI

Combat Paper: transforms military uniforms into handmade paper. We believe in this simple yet enduring premise that the plant fiber in rags can be transformed into paper. A uniform worn through military service carries with it stories and experiences that are in the woven threads. Creating paper and artwork from these fibers carries these same qualities.

https://www.combatpaper.org/

 

Military OneSource from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive.

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/about-us/

 

Military Veteran Project: Military Veteran Project is a volunteer-driven charity on a mission to prevent military suicide through research and treatment.

http://www.militaryveteranproject.org/22aday-movement.html

 

Mission 22: Mission 22 is dedicated to healing America’s veterans when they need it most — right now. We offer treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury and all of the issues veterans are facing today.

https://mission22.com/

 

TilValhalla Project: Every time you order from Til Valhalla Project, you help deliver memorial plaques to the families of fallen Heroes (at a complete surprise to them) and you donate towards reducing veteran suicide. Our goal is to make sure no fallen Hero goes forgotten and to ensure veterans are getting the treatment they deserve. 

https://tilvalhallaproject.com/

 

US Department of Veteran Affairs: VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public. VA provides support for a variety of mental health conditions and other challenges. 

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/

 

US Veterans' Artists Alliance: The United States Veterans’ Artists Alliance (USVAA) is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary non-profit arts organization, founded in 2004 by military veterans and artists. USVAA provides opportunities for veterans in the arts by highlighting the work of veterans in the arts, humanities and entertainment industry along with the contributions veterans have made to the rich cultural history of our nation since the Revolutionary War.

https://usvaa.org/

 

Veteran Art Connection: The Veteran Art Connection is the place where healing meets entrepreneurship. Veteran Art Connection, the online gallery that will feature the products of art therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-related injuries and ailments. The results of art therapy are as varied as the stories of the veterans who created them.

https://veteranartconnection.com/

 

Warrior Writers: We are a community of military veterans, service members, artists, allies, and healers dedicated to creativity and wellness. We use writing, painting, photography, and a host of other mediums to reflect on our experiences and express them creatively. Warrior Writers is a veteran-focused arts organization that fosters artistic exploration and expression through casual, welcoming workshops and retreats.

https://www.warriorwriters.org/

 

Wounded Warrior Project: The WWP mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors who incurred a physical or mental injury, illnesses, or wound, co-incident to your military service on or after September 11, 2001. You may also be eligible for the program if you are the family member or caregiver of a wounded warrior.

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/