The Mental Health Effects of Restrictive Immigration Policies
Over the past decade or so, it’s become increasingly challenging to have productive conversations about any topic that falls under the rubric of “politics.” A prime example of this is anything that can be labeled as “immigration.” The societal schisms and the direct effect on real-life humans are enough to challenge anyone’s mental well-being.
Undocumented immigrants are facing far harsher conditions than they may have ever imagined. Immigrants of all stripes wonder if they’ll be caught up in the efforts to find and arrest the undocumented. Well-meaning people across the ideological spectrum get sucked into the algorithm-driven crossfire. It’s a perfect storm for emotional chaos.
The Direct Mental Health Effects of Restrictive Immigration Policies
There’s no limit to how world events can affect people. However, it’s safe to say those most directly impacted are the most at risk. Any foreign-born person who enters the U.S. without legal status or violates the terms of their legal admission can face severe consequences under harsh laws and policies. Needless to say, it can be traumatizing to deal with or live in fear of arrest, detention, loss of employment, no access to health care, being separated from your loved ones, forced return to your country, and more.
It matters not what ideological stances anyone has. Chronic fear can cause anxiety, depression, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). These conditions require proper treatment to be resolved, but that care is not happening. It seems reasonable to ease the mental health impact on those involved, regardless of their legal status. The key consists in finding productive avenues for such efforts. The victims need much more than online virtue signaling.
How Restrictive Immigration Policies Impact the Lives of All Immigrants
Documented immigrants, especially non-white documented immigrants, can also suffer from mental health impacts. The digital world of AI algorithms, clickbait, and black-and-white thinking can lead anyone to engage in one-dimensional thinking. If you’re worrying about being caught in a sweep based on your skin color or last name, life becomes very stressful.
The aforementioned anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD are serious risks. Therefore, we all must develop the discernment to see past programmed stereotypes. We can all play a role in supporting documented immigrants with practical and mental health resources.
How Restrictive Immigration Policies Impact Collective Mental Health
Things have changed so quickly over the past decade. So much of our lives is spent online, where we are susceptible to profit-based systems that herd us into like-minded echo chambers. This reality can result in:
An unhealthy obsession with world events, whether or not we know the details, or if those events affect us.
Our desire to help others is hijacked by performative gestures like changing our profile picture.
Feeling as if things have never been worse, and slipping into a habit of doom-scrolling.
Needless to say, none of the above is conducive to helping those under threat, maintaining an accurate perception of daily reality, and sustaining one’s mental well-being. Even with the best of intentions, you can be sidetracked by the methods of internet platforms that are designed to maximize usage and profit. Once again, the likelihood of anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD rises.
So, Where Do We Start?
Things may look bad, but we’ve managed to navigate many frightening events and trends in the past. People who choose to do vital inner work are people who can make practical and emotionally intelligent choices that benefit everyone struggling due to restrictive immigration policies. Therapy and trauma-based therapy are an excellent starting point if you want to become part of the solution. I’d love to discuss this with you soon.
