Healing in the Shadows: Immigrant Resilience, Hope, and Mental Health
Blog that explores the resilience, challenges, and triumphs of the immigrant experience.
BIPOC MENTAL HEALTHSOCIAL JUSTICE
Dr. Bryan O. Rojas-Araúz
1/25/20256 min read


Telling my story and the story of immigrants becomes an act of defiance, not only as a psychologist that specializes in working with immigrants, or as a professor in an International Disaster Psychology program, but as someone who has lived the undocumented experience.
Every story of migration carries the weight of resilience, sacrifice, and hope. For me, it began on Christmas Eve, 1999, at the San Jose Airport in Costa Rica. I can still hear the hum of the airport announcements, the nervousness of getting on a plane for the very first time, and everything that was mine neatly packed into a suitcase as big as I was. My heart raced as I clutched it in one hand and my dreams in the other, stepping into a future I couldn't yet imagine. At 13 years old, I boarded a plane bound for the United States, believing I would return home in six months. The plan was simple: learn English, help my family, and come back to build a better future.
But life rarely goes as planned. Six months turned into a lifetime, and that decision—to stay—would shape everything about who I am today. At 13, I couldn’t have known the challenges ahead: the loneliness of being away from home, the fear of living undocumented, or the strength it would take to navigate building a life from the shadows.
When it was time for me to go home, I made a decision bigger than any child should ever have to make: to stay. Staying carried a heavier weight than I could have ever imagined. Living in the Bay Area as an Afrolatino undocumented immigrant was nothing short of a crash course in survival. I had to adapt quickly to the harsh realities of poverty, racism, and the complexities of navigating a bicultural identity in a language I did not understand. Violence and economic hardships were constants in my life, and I had to navigate these challenges while carrying the weight of my undocumented status. I moved from one relative’s home to another, never staying long enough to feel grounded. Each move deepened the loneliness, making me feel like I didn’t truly belong anywhere. By the time I was 16, I found myself living on my own, forced to navigate adulthood far sooner than I should have. It was a lonely journey—one where uncertainty, fear, and moments of despair often felt overwhelming. Yet, through it all, I discovered a resilience I hadn’t known existed within me. Those years of struggle didn’t just shape my identity; they gave me the strength and determination to become the person I am today.
Even now, as a naturalized U.S. citizen, a proud Immigrant-American, I find myself triggered by our sociopolitical environment. The constant headlines about immigration policies and executive orders aimed at causing harm, the threat of deportations, and ongoing xenophobic rhetoric reopen wounds that are decades old. Being naturalized doesn’t erase the memories of living in fear or the trauma of navigating life in the shadows. Our present reality makes me feel pain, sadness, and sorrow not only for our immigrant communities and their families, but also for the promise of what the United States was suppose to be. A broken promise, no longer the land of the free, justice, or equality.
The Immigrant Experience Under Pressure
For many immigrants, especially those navigating life under the current administration, the sociopolitical climate can feel like an unrelenting storm. Immigration policies constantly shift, and every administration uses immigration as a pawn in a political game, leaving immigrant communities to face cycles of fear and uncertainty. Fear of family separation, deportation, discrimination, and economic instability weigh heavily, negatively affecting our mental health. Life as an undocumented immigrant is a delicate balance between visibility and invisibility. The pressure to succeed—to justify our presence and the constant fear of deportation or family separation that makes that same visibility dangerous. Yet, for many immigrants, seeking mental health care can be seen as a sign of weakness or outside of cultural norms. Stigma that stops us from getting the help we deserve. It keeps us from finding our medicine in ancestral ways of being that have been repackaged by and co-opted by psychology. Overcoming these stigmas is crucial to fostering individual and collective healing.
Immigrant communities are not just defined by struggle. Immigrant communities have long been a source of innovation, strength, and cultural richness. They are defined by strength, resilience, and the ability to turn pain into power. The ability to navigate two worlds, to build lives from scratch, and to find joy, hope, and connection despite the barriers. We have fought for a better society, built movements, created change, and consistently given more than what we have taken. Making the impossible happen with nothing but unwavering belief and hope. These are the stories that deserve to be told—the stories that remind us of the incredible power within our communities. The counter narratives that remind us that immigrants truly make America better, as we work on the dream and aspirations of one day making her great. Despite systemic barriers, we continue to contribute, to build, to grow. Every challenge met is a testament to the resilience that lives within immigrant communities. These qualities are what carried me through as I transitioned from a young man living in the shadows to a psychologist and entrepreneur committed to helping others today.
My story is not the exception, my story is more of the norm; if we just listened. Our resilience as immigrants is a source of pride, but it’s also important to recognize the emotional toll it takes. Our stories are powerful because they highlight not just what we’ve survived but what we’ve achieved. My story, like so many others, is proof that we are more than our circumstances. We are deserving of opportunity and when given we want to give back to our communities. We are your neighbors, friends, colleagues, and teammates. We are builders, creators, visionaries, and healers—individually and collectively.
Whether you’re undocumented, naturalized, or anywhere in between, your mental health matters. Prioritizing our wellbeing is one way to honor that strength and ensure we not only survive but thrive. Our wellness in moments of darkness is the ultimate form or resistance. We have survived plenty and it’s important to remind ourselves of what we are capable. We carry the strength of our ancestors and the dreams of our communities. Together, we can continue to rise above the challenges and build a future defined by joy, connection, and liberation regardless of who seats in the White House.
“No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.”
– Lupita Nyong’o
"The courage it takes to leave everything behind is matched only by the strength it takes to rebuild."
Mental Health Tips for Immigrants:
1. Acknowledge Your Emotions Without Judgment
Immigration status often comes with deep emotional weight, including fear, shame, and anxiety. Recognizing and naming these emotions without self-criticism is the first step toward healing. Journaling or talking to a trusted friend or therapist can help process these feelings.
2. Practice Affirmations and Self-Compassion
For immigrants who have faced societal stigma or discrimination, self-compassion can be transformative. Affirmations like “I am more than my status”, "I'm the descendent of warriors scholars king and queens" “My worth is not defined by others’ opinions” "Immigrants are the backbone of America" can counter negative self-talk.
3. Prioritize Self-Care in Small, Manageable Ways
In the midst of stress, self-care often feels like a luxury. However, simple practices like daily breathing exercises, regular walks, or even a 5-minute mindfulness meditation can ground you and reduce anxiety.
4. Set Boundaries Around News Consumption
Staying informed is important, but constantly consuming news about immigration policies can be emotionally taxing. Limit your intake and focus on trusted sources to avoid unnecessary stress.
5. Lean on Community Support
You're not alone. Finding or building a community of people who understand your experiences can provide emotional relief and practical support. Whether it’s a local immigrant support group or online forum, connection is vital. It also is a reminder that we have survived 100s of years of colonization and violence and we are not going anywhere.
6. Seek Professional Help
Therapists and counselors, especially those trained in culturally responsive care, can provide invaluable tools for managing anxiety, depression, and trauma. Many organizations offer sliding scale fees or free services to make mental health care accessible to immigrants communities. Also look up directories such as LatinxTherapy.com
7. Engage in Activism as Healing: Advocating for immigrant rights or supporting grassroots movements can transform feelings of helplessness into action.
8. Empower Yourself Through Knowledge: Knowing your rights and accessing resources for immigrants can reduce fear and provide a sense of agency.
Organizations Supporting Immigrants in Colorado
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC)
Website: www.coloradoimmigrant.org
Services: Advocacy for immigrant rights, legal services, "Know Your Rights" trainings, and policy reform efforts.Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN)
Website: www.rmian.org
Services: Legal counsel for immigrants, asylum assistance, defense in removal hearings, and support for trafficking victims.African Community Center (ACC)
Website: www.acc-den.org
Services: Refugee and immigrant support, skill development programs, and community integration initiatives.Immigrant Pathways Colorado
Website: www.connectingimmigrants.org
Services: Grants for self-development, community education, and integration support for documented immigrants.San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center
Website: www.slvirc.org
Services: Adjustment of status, DACA applications, family-based petitions, and citizenship application assistance.211 Colorado
Website: www.211colorado.org
Services: Comprehensive resource directory for basic needs, legal assistance, and services for migrants and refugees.
Organizations Supporting Immigrants in the U.S.
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Website: www.nilc.org
Services: Advocacy for immigrant rights, legal resources, and policy analysis.Immigrants Rising
Website: www.immigrantsrising.org
Services: Mental health support, financial aid resources, and career guidance for undocumented individuals.The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights
Website: www.theyoungcenter.org
Services: Legal and social services for immigrant children and their families.United We Dream
Website: www.unitedwedream.org
Services: Community-building, policy advocacy, and mental health resources for undocumented youth and allies.
My office
1640 Logan St Suite C
Denver, CO 80203
Contacts
Services@InLakechCEC.com
720.515.5354


Dr. Bryan O. Rojas-Araúz
Disclaimer:
In Lak'ech CEC does not offer crisis services. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.