Mexican Consulate launches mental health services
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Recent immigration laws and ICE raids have people on edge in Monterey County.
This is prompting urgency for the Mexican Consulate in San Jose to take action.
Starting July 2nd, the consulate will host mental health workshops for Mexican nationals who need mental health assistance.
The community says it is facing anxiety and fear in these times of uncertainty over ICE raids and immigration laws. Rodrigo Saucedo says he tries to be strong and not take this anxiety home to his family.
In early June, San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder said that ICE raids in San Jose and San Francisco left 15 people detained. This was taken to the consulate in San Jose to join forces with NAMI in Santa Clara County to provide mental health resources to the community.
Although the city of San Jose has seen more ice sightings than Monterey County, consulate services are available to Mexican co-nationals in Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties.
Consul Alejandra Bologna says she wants to address this reality, especially to break cultural patterns, where it is not common for Mexican nationals to seek mental health. Through this support, people can learn about the symptoms that affect their well-being.
Some of the symptoms include losing sleep, not eating well, feeling depressed, and feeling anxious. The National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, in Santa Clara County, helps people who have experienced mental illness and their families by providing support, education, and advocacy.
Erika Alvarez with NAMI says people learn how to cope with this anxiety and surpass a crisis.
NAMI support groups will be available every two weeks, and although classes are in-person, NAMI also has support groups via Zoom, which you can access by calling (408) 453-0400.
