>>NORMAN ANDERSON: Hello, I’m Dr. Norman
Anderson.
Welcome to another edition of “This is Psychology.”
Immigrants come to the United States seeking
to better their lives and the lives of their
families.
Some come to reunite with family members who
have already immigrated.
Others are fleeing war, political persecution
or environmental disaster.
And many are looking for better work opportunities
to support themselves and their loved ones.
The immigrant experience has the potential
to trigger a great variety of psychological
problems.
These problems could stem from an immigrant’s
separation from country of origin, from family
members, and familiar customs and traditions;
changes in social standing or socioeconomic
status; exposure to a new environment; language
barriers; and the need to navigate unfamiliar
cultural contexts.
A recent report by an APA presidential task
force on immigration noted that many immigrants
don’t seek help for the stress and other
psychological problems associated with being
an immigrant in this country.
Cultural and language barriers may be the
cause of the discomfort many immigrants feel
about the American healthcare system.
Psychology can play an important role in making
that system more accessible to immigrants.
To be accessible, the health care system must
be culturally competent – that is, aware
and respectful of the values and relationships
of immigrant communities.
Other needs are more concrete, such as making
available bilingual providers, transportation
and help navigating health and insurance systems.
The task force report calls on psychologists
to partner with community-based organizations
to provide culturally competent, evidence-based
treatment to immigrant clients.
This will make psychological help for immigrants
both more available and more effective.
Thanks for watching “This is Psychology.”
