Supporting Immigrant Children’s Mental Health During Community Violence

Many immigrant families are facing increased uncertainty, community violence and fears related to deportation and family separation. These events are chronic stressors, which increases the risk for mental health concerns.

Even when families aren’t directly affected by immigration enforcement, children often feel the emotional impact. Sometimes kids can’t explain what is wrong, so stress and fear can show up through physical symptoms, difficult behaviors and changes in relationships.

Why Immigrant Children May Be at Higher Risk

Immigrant families are already at a higher risk for mental health concerns due to systemic stressors like:

• Language barriers
• The stress of understanding a new culture
• Discrimination, stereotyping and microaggressions related to their culture, language or background
• Uncertainty about changing immigration legal policies and safeguards

On top of these daily stressors, children now are also experiencing additional stressors that put their mental health in more danger:

• Fear that a parent could be detained or deported. Research shows that children who experience a parent’s deportation have more than double the odds of developing PTSD symptoms later in life.
• Pressure to translate or interpret for adults. Many children have to help their family navigate systems (school, health care, financial).
• “Parentification.” Some children have to take on more responsibility to keep their family functioning or safe, which can be overwhelming for the child.

How This Stress Affects Children’s Mental Health

Ongoing, repeated stress can take a toll. Immigrant children report significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms.

You can support them early by noticing the signs and symptoms. Even if children aren’t saying much, stress might show up in ways like:

• More stomach aches or headaches
• Changes in appetite or sleep
• Being more clingy, quiet or easily upset
• Worrying about being separated from family
• Trouble paying attention and learning in school
  • Studies show that children in schools near Immigration and Customs Enforcement areas often have higher absenteeism, anxiety and drops in academic achievement.

These signs don’t mean something is “wrong” with the child or that their behavior is “bad.” They are often signs that a child is doing their best to cope with very hard things.

What Grown-Ups Can Do

You don’t have to fix everything. Small, steady actions from safe adults can help children feel more calm, secure and in control.

1. Focus on daily routines. Shared meals, bedtime stories or after-school check-ins help children feel grounded.
2. Validate their feelings. Let children know it’s OK to feel scared, angry, sad or confused about what is happening. Use simple words or stories to name emotions. If words don't work, try drawing, music or movement to help them express what they’re feeling.
3. Increase hope and encourage action. Focus on the helpers and those supporting the community. Discuss how the children themselves would like to help. This generates optimism, hope and provides a more balanced way to look at things. Taking action can also help children feel more confident in what they can control, especially during uncertain times.
4. Prepare kids. Evidence suggests that even the threat of deportation can trigger trauma symptoms in children. Creating a plan and teaching them their rights can help them feel empowered.
5. Affirm their culture and identity. Help children feel proud of who they are by celebrating their family’s strengths and stories. You can also share books, songs and shows that reflect their language, history and traditions.
6. Limit exposure to harmful media. Make a social media or media family plan to ensure you know what your child is consuming.
7. Help kids identify trusted adults in different settings. Help your child name people they can go to when they feel scared or overwhelmed, especially at school. Knowing they can talk to a teacher or counselor can help children feel safer, and strengthen their sense of belonging.

Honoring the Strength of Immigrant Families

Immigrant children and families show strength every day in how they care for one another, in the roles they take on and in the values they carry forward.

In moments of uncertainty, what matters most is connection. Children need to know there are people at home, in schools and in their communities, working to support and protect them.