Skip to main content
CLP 2024 Annual Meeting Main banner
Final Program


CLP 2024 Program
Back

General Session

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

General Session 1

In Crisis Together: Psychiatric and Medical Care of New Migrants to the United States

Thursday, November 7, 2024
10:55 AM – 12:10 PM EST
Location: Flagler
Abstract:
In 2023, United States authorities encountered more than 2.3 million individuals attempting to enter the country through the Southern border. More than 200,000 persons entered the country including about half who were traveling in families. We present the clinical and social implications of this generational event for consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists, who treat new migrant families in emergency department, hospital, and outpatient settings. Using case studies and original programmatic and scientific data, our interdisciplinary group discusses challenges of clinical management for this population and considers systems-based opportunities for C-L psychiatrists to improve care for this population.



Dr. Simpson MD MPH introduces the epidemiology and implications of this migration for health systems and communities. Denver, Colorado, has received more immigrants per capita than any American city: Denver was housing more more than 4,000 migrants nightly and 10% of its city budget on migrant services in the past year. One elementary school doubled its enrollment to accomodate new arrivers. Pilot data on patient encounters and outcomes are presented from THRIVE, an interagency project to improve psychiatric care coordination among community and civic stakeholders in part through investments in hospital-based consultation-liaison and peer-based services.



Dr. Vargas PhD LMSW presents new NIH-funded research with newly arrived immigrants at the U.S. southern border. Surveys and interviews with more than 300 adult immigrants describe the high frequency and sequelae of trauma exposure, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress in this population. This history and symptom burden impairs new immigrants’ behavioral health and social integration once in the U.S. Dr. Vargas further notes methodological challenges for conducting research among this population.



Dr. Holmes PhD discusses the clinical care of new migrant youth and families. Common crisis presentations relate to both pre-existing mental health concerns and newly emerging problems related to trauma, stress, and feelings of isolation after arriving in the U.S. Case material allows attendees to apply strategies for engaging families in treatment.



Dr. Hebert MD addresses the care of migrant adults in hospital-based settings. The emergency mental health needs of migrant populations have received little attention, even as many new migrants access services via emergency departments and hospitals. Patients present with a range of diagnoses, from decompensated psychosis to substance use disorders to emotional distress and suicidal ideation; language barriers and cross-cultural conceptions of mental health are but a few barriers these patients face in accessing care. Case narratives highlight the benefits of interdisciplinary, team-based care of migrant patients.



Treating individuals newly arrived to the United States is not a new obligation in America’s history. This session provides practical guidance–amid broader social and political context–for C-L psychiatrists treating new migrants. Alongside our patients and communities, we are hopeful in facing this crisis together.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how widespread violence in Latin America shapes the lives and health of children and families migrating to the United States
  • Describe common behavioral health presentations among new migrant arrivers
  • Using a case example, apply at least one intervention to improve the medical and health treatment of patients who have newly migrated to the United States