Mental Health of Undocumented Adolescents

Abstract

Individuals with precarious or no immigration status in Canada are one of the fastest growing migrant populations in Canada, totaling over half a million. This presentation will explore the developmental impacts of being undocumented and living in daily fear of detention and deportation. Results from the study indicate that lack of immigration status is implicated in significant developmental impairments and a source of constant, pervasive stress on the mental health and well being of individuals, as well as on their family units. Lack of immigration status is associated with difficulties with identity formation and consolidation, compromised self-efficacy, acculturative stress and compromised peer relations, which in turn results in poorer developmental outcomes. In particular, nonstatus youth show increased rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD, when compared to other immigrant populations in Canada. The research findings provide considerable support for the inclusion of immigration status as a social determinant of mental health. As such, key policy recommendations to redress institutional barriers to accessibility along with effective treatment models addressing the developmental needs of this unique population will be delineated.