The Silent Suffering of Those on Temporary Protected Status: Unbeknownst to Many

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT are volunteers Marie-Ange Jean-Fils, MD; Benite Pierre Louis, MD; Michael Ingram, MD; Jennifer Severe, MD; Darlene Guerrier MD; and Kirsy Japa, MD.

The 2018 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting hosted an advocacy booth that brought together medical students, psychiatry residents, and practicing psychiatrists from different backgrounds with one purpose: “To increase awareness around the mental health needs of the 437,000 foreign nationals from 10 countries on Temporary Protected Status.”

Congress created the Temporary Protected Status, also known as TPS, as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 to provide temporary lawful status to foreign nationals from countries that have suffered natural disasters, protracted unrest or conflict, or who are going through other extraordinary circumstances that prevent their safe return home. Put differently, TPS is a humanitarian visa that allows its beneficiaries to integrate into, and contribute to, the American social, economic, and civic fabric. Foreign nationals from El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti account for almost 93% of the TPS population and more than 80% are currently part of the labor force. The remaining countries with a TPS designation include Nepal, Syria, Nicaragua, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and South Sudan.

At the risk of returning back to their native country which might still be unsafe, TPS beneficiaries are desperately trying to avoid deportation by advocating for an extension of the TPS or seeking permanent residence in the US. Through our advocacy booth at 2018 APA meeting, psychiatrists became aware of the fear, anxiety, demoralization, and possible re-traumatization that trainees, colleagues, and patients on TPS go through. We also increased awareness around the high incidence of emotional suffering and mental illnesses associated with immigration, the low rate of mental health service use by migrants, and the effects of immigration-related family separation on US-born children.

Health care providers are an important and trusted source of support in addition to legal service and faith-based providers. We wish to continue reminding mental health providers of this crucial role through ongoing awareness-raising activities. We also hope to launch a pilot initiative to reach out to Haitian TPS holders and their families in their communities, churches, and clinics by targeting states with the highest density of Haitians. The goal is to encourage access to psychological support and empower them with information through a phone service line. To learn more, go to http://lovinskyseverefoundation.org/temporary-protected-status/. This pilot program can be replicated for other foreign nationals on TPS.

“When the Homeland Security rescinded the TPS, I first thought of the direct psychosocial impact on my family, whom I am here for, but I also think of those families affected throughout the US who have nobody” [Dr. Japa].

The exhibit booth was a joint effort between a diverse group of psychiatrists and was mainly supported by the Professional Risk Management Services Inc, the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad, and the Haitian American Psychiatric Association. The initiative was spearheaded by Dr Severe.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about the pilot initiative and to reach out to Haitian TPS holders and their families, go to http://lovinskyseverefoundation.org/temporary-protected-status/

Disclosures:

Dr. Severe is a Public Psychiatry Fellow, Columbia University, New York; Dr Japa is a PGY 2 Psychiatry Resident, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ.