Mental Health Experiences of Venezuelan Immigrant Caregivers in Colombia

Background: Colombia currently hosts over 2 of the estimated 6 million Venezuelan immigrants that have fled Venezuela since 2016. Most Venezuelan immigrants lack legal status, which negatively impacts their access to vital services, protection, and aid and adversely affects their mental health. However, a dearth of research is available regarding Venezuelan immigrants’ lived experiences of mental health and mental health access. This study aims to address this significant gap by providing knowledge about the challenges experienced by Venezuelan immigrant families residing in Colombia. To decentralize knowledge and bring the needs of the Venezuelan population forth, this study sought input from Venezuelan immigrants and providers that worked with the Venezuelan population in Colombia.

Methods: Thirty Venezuelan caregivers who immigrated to Colombia from Venezuela after 2016 were virtually interviewed between October 2021 and February 2022. In an effort to understand their mental health symptoms, we screened participants for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and for anxiety using the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Also, 20 providers who worked predominantly with Venezuelan immigrant populations were interviewed to have different perspectives on the population's needs. Data from semi-structured interviews were collected and analyzed in Spanish using thematic network analysis.

Results: Most participants were female (n = 29; 97%), biological mothers (n = 24; 77%), with a median age of 34. Information from the PHQ-9 indicated that approximately half of participants showed mild (n = 8; 27%), moderate (n = 5; 17%), or moderately-severe (n = 1; 3%) symptoms of depression. Information from the GAD showed that most participants showed mild (n = 8; 27%), moderate (n = 7 ;23%), or severe (n = 2; 7%) symptoms of anxiety. Regarding providers, most were also female (n = 14; 70%) with a median age of 35. Four themes emerged regarding the mental health experiences of Venezuelan immigrants: 1) Experiences of violence, discrimination, and xenophobia significantly impact the physical and mental health of Venezuelan immigrants, exacerbating their struggles to adapt and integrate into their new community; 2) The stress, trauma, and uncertainty of leaving their homeland, coupled with the challenges of adapting to a new environment, can trigger a range of mental health issues and symptoms, including depression and anxiety; 3) Limited access to job opportunities, inadequate wages, and high cost of living in Colombia exacerbate mental health concerns, leaving many immigrants feeling trapped and helpless; 4) Separation from loved ones, loss of social support networks, and disruption of identity, cultural, and traditional family roles contribute to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression.

Conclusions and implications: This study reveals that Venezuelan immigrants in Colombia face not only material challenges but also complex emotional and psychological struggles related to migration and resettlement. To improve their well-being, the development of accessible and culturally appropriate mental health interventions should be prioritized to address their unique challenges. This study emphasizes the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of the mental health experiences of Venezuelan migrant caregivers in Colombia and provides valuable insights for policymakers and service providers.