Policy Framework for Immigrant Mental Health
By Isha Weerasinghe and Suma Setty
After connecting with several organizations across the country supporting immigrant mental health in programs and policy on the local, state, and national levels, CLASP recognized the need for a national immigrant mental health advocacy framework.
This framework intends to provide a unifying set of goals across actors and movements to improve immigrant mental health and well-being in the United States. It serves as an advocacy roadmap for immigration and mental health advocates who work at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as direct service organizations interested in pursuing policy advocacy.
As different immigrant mental health needs are better understood within changing political and policy contexts, we expect that there will be aspects to modify and build in the framework. Our hope is that advocates see these initial priorities as ways to push state and federal policymakers to create a solid foundation for a responsive mental health system, with healing-centered, culturally sensitive, and linguistically appropriate services and accommodations for all immigrants residing in the U.S.
