Understanding Access to Mental Health Care for Undocumented and Mixed-Status Families in South Texas

Title: Understanding Access to Mental Health Care for Undocumented and Mixed-Status Families in South Texas

Investigator: Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez, PhD

University: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic and anti-immigration policies have widened pre-existing inequities for Latinx undocumented and mixed-status families as mental health, education, and economic systems have been disrupted. This project uses a mixed-method, community-based participatory research design to understand healthcare access barriers, service utilization, and institutional trust among undocumented and mixed-status families living in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. We aim to develop community-driven recommendations for providers, clinics, and healthcare systems to enhance the reach and delivery of behavioral health services.