FIRST GENERATION

BARRIERS
THE CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE AND THE WAYS
WE CAN APPROACH MENTAL HEALTH

THE PEOPLE AFFECTED

In 2018, an estimated 11.2 million immigrants were living in

America with Mexico being the top country of origin (a). With no

one to truly guide them, new Americans come here for the same

reasons many want: to raise a family and have the happiness of

the American Dream.

THE REALITY
Unfortunately, the American dream comes with a lot of setbacks for

immigrants and those born as first-generation immigration. The

language barriers (b), socioeconomic disadvantages, and

educational hardships are only a fraction of the issues that families

can face. Issues like these can be worsened by the legal status from

which these families came.

Due to this, the mental and emotional strain that is felt by

immigrants and the children they raise is an unfortunate normal.

(a) (b) Budiman, A. (2020, September 22). Key findings about U.S. IMMIGRANTS. Retrieved March 01, 2021, from
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/20/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/

UNKOWN EXPECTATION
Children who are born from immigrant families understand the

amount of sacrifice and struggle that was made in order for a

better life to be lead. While parents can use that knowledge as a

means for their children to take out the trash, it holds a much

deeper significance to first-generation immigrants (c).

There is the unknown expectation of being all that your parents

sacrificed.

MENTAL STRAIN
The immigrant paradox (d) is a phenomenon in which U.S born

immigrants are more likely to have mental, behavioral, and

emotional problems than foreign moved immigrants. A lot of

circumstances can play into the mental health of any

individual. For the first-gen, it seems that the circumstance

increases because of expectation.

(c) Bezikyan, H. (2017). Pressures of being a first Generation AMERICAN-BORN CITIZEN. Retrieved March 30,
2021, from https://sundial.csun.edu/113606/opinions/pressures-of-being-a-first-generation-american-born-
citizen/
(d) Borge, J. (2020, July 27). Growing up with immigrant parents has had a major impact on my mental health-
and i'm not the only one. Retrieved March 30, 2021, from https://www.health.com/mind-body/first-
generation-american-mental-health-immigrant-paradox

SOCIAL STRAIN
In social settings, code-switching becomes prevalent in any person.

You can tell between your friend's work persona and who they really

are. The same instance goes for immigrants in the sense of

switching who they really are for whom the world will constantly see

(e). The switching of multiple identities also causes a lack of social

confidence. From this, also stems the drug and alcohol use that is

prevalent in immigrant youth.

 How We Can Help
EARLY COUNSELING
Implementing affordable/free counseling as early as middle
school could nip a lot of behavioral problems in the bud. This
could also be a healthy emotional outlet for children who may not
have the depth of understanding at home.
Imagine the number of times that a therapist or counselor
would help out where parents could not.

EARLY COUNSELING
Incorporating counseling in middle school would enable a level of
academic equality and a comfortable environment.
Counseling in schools have positive impacts on students at an
early age. Academic achievement, better sense of self, and safety in
institution are the positive aspects associated with counseling as
early as middle school (f).
(f) University, B. (2018, June 15). The positive impact of school counselors. Retrieved April 19, 2021, from
https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/blog/the-positive-impact-school-counselors-can-have-on-
students/#:~:text=The%20study%20surveyed%20almost%2023%2C000,with%20socializing%20and%20interp
ersonal%20relationships.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITES
Extracurriculars can invoke community and skills that can go
over into higher education. Higher education costs and
community can be a cause of conflict in first-generation
immigrants. Extracurriculars, sports or hobbies, can better the
strais that are more common in immigrants.

CREATING AN UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY

In aiding first-generation immigrants, there is also
the need to educate and inform those native-born
to countries. The lack of understanding can from a
variety of differentcircumstances, however, the
change has to start with creating the openminded
environment. Implementing better conversations
and lectures from those with experience or
education can help the process of listening to their
firts-generation counterparts.

CREATING AN UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY

The world can't change overnight and these changes
can only come with time. However, in understanding,
listening, and providing better options for those who
need it most, would benefit the world and community
around us. Creating a positive and more equal
environment for every citizen, no matter the status, will
benefit society to be better.