In collaboration with UNAM and UMass Boston, the space was opened to carry out the discussion "Transnational Approach on Mental Health Training in LATAM and USA", where the important role that mental health plays in the transnationalization of migration, communities, and societies across borders can be seen, bringing changes to the social, cultural, economic and political landscape of the societies of origin and destination that as a result of the pandemic of covid.19 further triggered mental health, impeding access to mental health services and causing concern about the increase in suicidal behaviors.
Among the contributors to this discussion were Dr. Silvia Morales from the UNAM School of Psychology, Dr. Amy Cook from the University of Massachusetts Boston, Dr. Gonzalo Bacigalupe from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and finally as moderator Dr. Violeta Felix from the UNAM School of Psychology, from her knowledge and direct professional experience in vulnerable Latino communities.
They give us a context on the factors associated with migration that contribute to the deterioration of mental health, such as precarious working conditions, discrimination, risk of deportation, illiteracy, among others, which increased due to the crisis generated by the pandemic of Covid-19, it is important to locate risk factors and provide resources that promote resilience and help prevent the development of mental disorders.
The collaborators share strategies to address the main challenges faced, such as providing services to the migrant population, i.e., making them available at low cost, in the language of migrants, being able to recognize among those who require preventive care and at a higher level, as well as the creation of public policies, accessing this type of services will allow users to have the resources to face adverse situations and improve not only their mental health, but also their overall health.
