Immigrant and Refugee Stakeholder Advocacy State-Level Advocacy Contractor

Purpose

The Commission is seeking an experienced State-Level Advocacy Contractor to work with Local Immigrant and Refugee contractors.

Description

This contract opportunity supports the goals of the MHSA and proposes to support the goal of system transformation through the engagement and participation of immigrants and refugees that is client and family driven, culturally competent, and collaborative in design. California’s immigrant and refugee populations face significant mental health challenges as a result of trauma experienced while escaping dangerous conditions in their homeland, traveling to the United States, and then attempting to settle into new communities. These challenges have been referred to as the “triple trauma paradigm.” Negative mental health outcomes are associated with the traumatic events experienced by immigrants and refugees, including major depression, suicide, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), family dysfunction, drug and alcohol dependence, disruptive behavior disorders in youth, as well as increased risks of being targeted for human trafficking. According to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, 46,819 refugees have arrived in California since 2011. While refugees have settled in over 30 counties throughout California, the majority have settled in San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Orange, and Santa Clara counties. Mental health services are available throughout the State; however, refugee populations often resist seeking services as a result of stigma and mental health workforce limitations. Stigma associated with mental health conditions in their countries of origin can cause immigrants and refugees to hide the symptoms experienced by themselves or their children. When refugees do seek treatment, they often find that there are few mental health professionals available to speak their language, understand their culture, or empathize with their experiences. These factors have resulted in low utilization rates, creating a challenge for service delivery. Like refugees, immigrants (approx. 11 million, per Public Policy Institute) face similar challenges accessing care. According to the National Immigration Law Center, 47% of non-citizen immigrants are without health insurance compared to 16% for those born in the United States. Additionally, federal policy changes create barriers to care due to fear of deportation. Like refugees, immigrants experience traumatic events during migration and post migration. The challenge of accessing mental health care services can be addressed with effective outreach, training and education, and advocacy. Organizations which serve immigrant populations in California have unique knowledge of the necessary steps to reduce disparities of access to mental health services and supports for immigrants and their families.