Mental health
Living in uncertainty, many Vietnamese immigrants, both undocumented and legal residents, face significant mental health challenges that stem from the complex interplay of historical trauma and fears of deportation. Lan Vũ and her son, Anh, struggle to cope with stress and anxiety over their immigration status ever since the new administration took office.
Foreign-born Latinas are at greater risk for postpartum depression than the general population and are less likely to receive treatment due to cultural and language barriers, among other factors. When Stephany Coronado suffered from depression after the birth of her daughter, she was worried she would be perceived as weak or a bad mother. Her story highlights why many Latina mothers are afraid to speak up or ask for help.
Funded by a city grant, nine unhoused families at Everett Middle School receive a guaranteed monthly income of $1,000 — part of an experimental program aimed at helping families escape homelessness. This financial aid, the school hopes, will help improve students' mental health and academic performance.
Thousands lost their homes in the January 2025 Los Angeles fires, among the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in California History.
Losing one's home, belongings, and community, along with the threat to personal safety and the safety of loved ones, can have a major impact on survivors' mental health. Studies show higher rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which can last for years.
Thousands of farmworkers are working well into their sixties and seventies with no safety net built for retirement.
Food insecurity affects farmworkers at higher rates than the general U.S. population, and it can increase their risk of suffering from several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity, particularly among women. Farmworkers often have to choose between healthy food and medication.
For Martha Felix, 84, the Santa Elizabeth church in the San Fernando valley offers sanctuary and community.
As Latino immigrants age, those without families face loneliness and those with families worry about being a burden and hesitate to ask for help. Psychotherapist Gabriel Romero explains that "we feel pleasure in helping others, but we also limit those who want to help us."
Caregivers Crystal Foster and Jermaine Moore share challenges of aging while caring for special needs children. They highlight resilience, family support, and the need for better caregiver resources.