Sarah Buckinham: “We can all support immigrant communities, whether we’re immigrants ourselves or not!”
by carlos matías
Psychologist Sara Buckingham warns about the impact of immigration policies on the mental health of immigrant families and highlights the importance of community networks, safe access to basic services, and emotional support to confront fear and uncertainty.
“The harm caused by immigration laws isn’t limited to people who are detained, deported, or separated from their families. Immigration law creates a ripple effect across all immigrant families and communities. But they continue to show strength and support one another. It’s important for communities to protect themselves,” Sara Buckingham, a psychologist specializing in immigrant and refugee families, tells SOL DE MEDIANOCHE.
“Communities and organizations can support immigrant families by keeping schools and healthcare safe and accessible, with services in people’s languages, legal aid, and welcoming spaces,” adds Sara Buckingham. “We can all play a role in supporting immigrant communities, whether we are immigrants or not! Our goal is not just to reduce harm; it is to create communities where everyone can thrive.”
There are no data on the deterioration of mental health among Latinos in Alaska due to immigration policy. But “there is ample evidence that raids, detentions, deportations, and family separations are causing a surge in cases of anxiety, depression, stress, and distress among immigrants, their family members, and even others in the community. Even the threat of enforcement causes stress, physical and mental health problems, and distress. Many immigrant families avoid healthcare and other public services out of fear.”
Sara Buckingham works “with families who have children whose parents or other caregivers are separated from them, which has been a real challenge for those families.” She is a psychologist specializing in immigrant and refugee families, co-director of the Center for Community Engagement and Learning, leader of the Crossroads Research Collective, and associate professor of psychology in the Doctoral Program in Clinical-Community Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
For her, “racism, xenophobia, and hate are compounded by immigration laws. Xenophobia and racism create discrimination, exclusion, and vulnerability to harm. Immigration laws add legal precariousness and the possibility of detention, deportation, and family separation.”
“The fear of detention and deportation causes chronic stress. In Alaska, mental health indicators among young people are concerning. A 2023 survey showed that 43.2% of high school students in Alaska felt sad and hopeless. Another 34.5% felt anxious, nervous, tense, and scared, as if something bad were going to happen every day. Additionally, 22.6% said they had considered suicide. These figures are not specific to young Latino immigrants, but they illustrate the context in which Latino immigrant families live. Young Latinos report high levels of persistent sadness and suicidal ideation, in some cases higher than other groups. In Alaska, 1 in 5 young people has considered suicide since 2015.”
“We must address policies that create fear of separation, limit access to basic services, or destabilize family life. At the community level, it is essential to create safe and accessible environments. Schools, healthcare systems, and community organizations can serve as protective environments and build trust within immigrant communities. Community networks are key, as they provide emotional support, information, and practical assistance to overcome the current uncertainty.” “It is important to recognize the signs that someone may be at risk of suicide: sadness, anxiety, isolation, changes in sleep or behavior, expressions of hopelessness or not wanting to be here, or feeling there is no future. When a risk is identified, it is important to have mental health support available. In the U.S., the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by phone or text and provides free, confidential support in English and Spanish. Calling 211 during business hours can also help. Many children may have access to mental health professionals at their schools.”
