Perspectives on Working with Immigrants Held in Detention Using Photovoice.

Those who work with immigrants in detention centers may be at increased risk of secondary trauma. This study used Photovoice to capture reflections on how the lives of volunteers are affected by their work on behalf of immigrant family detainees. Participants were recruited over a two-month period in 2018 from amongst the volunteers of a non-governmental organization that provides legal services to the detainees at one immigration detention center. Participants submitted photos and captions that explored their experiences with their work. Thirteen volunteers consented to participate and submitted 44 photos with captions to the project. Major themes included emotional challenges of the work, frustrations with the U.S. government, comparison of their experiences to those of their clients', and finding uplifting moments. Our findings regarding the significant emotional challenges of this work are of particular importance given the increasing coverage of immigration detention in the media and the increased interest in volunteer opportunities to support this population.

Characterization of the mental health of immigrant children separated from their mothers at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Immigrant children who faced forced separation from their parents may be at heightened risk of developing mental health disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders. This cross-sectional study assessed the mental health of children being held in U.S. immigration detention who had been previously separated from their mothers. We interviewed 73 mothers about their eldest child age 5-17 using the Parent-Report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Among these children, many had elevated scores for emotional problems (49%), peer problems (21%), and total difficulties (15%). Male children demonstrated significantly higher rates of abnormal peer problems compared to females. Younger children (age 5-11 years) also demonstrated significantly higher rates of abnormal conduct problems, hyperactivity, and total difficulties. Scores did not differ significantly based on length of separation. Results reveal that children who had been separated from their parents experience high levels of mental health distress, which are especially high in younger children. Regardless of length of separation, these children would benefit from comprehensive mental health treatment with a culturally-responsive and trauma-informed lens.

Mental health of children held at a United States immigration detention center.

Rationale; Children held in immigration detention may be at risk for mental health disorders due to the impacts of pre-migration factors, including exposure to violence, their displacement from their home countries, their journey between countries, and the conditions of their detention. Limited research has demonstrated high rates of clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders among detained immigrant children. Objective; In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the mental health of children held at a US immigration detention center over two months in mid-2018. Method; We interviewed 425 mothers about their eldest child age 4-17 using the Parent-Report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A subset of 150 children age ≥9 completed the UCLA Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (PTSD-RI). Results; Among the 425 children studied, many demonstrated elevated scores for emotional problems (32%), peer problems (14%) and total difficulties (10%) on the SDQ. Younger children (age 4-8 years) demonstrated more difficulties associated with conduct, hyperactivity, and total difficulties (all p < 0.001) compared to older children. Children who had been forcibly separated from their mothers demonstrated significantly more emotional problems (49%, p = 0.003) and total difficulties (15%, p = 0.015) than those who had never been separated. Of the 150 children who completed the PTSD-RI, 17% had a probable diagnosis of PTSD. In all, nearly half (44%) of all children demonstrated at least one emotional or behavioral concern. Conclusions; These data demonstrate that children being held in immigration detention experience high levels of mental health distress. Results suggest they would benefit from more comprehensive mental health screening and release into the community, as well as culturally-responsive and trauma-informed mental health care.