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Immigrant Mental Health

El Futuro - a community-based nonprofit organization that seeks to transform Latino-serving mental health care in North Carolina and beyond - has a desire to develop a network of organizations and individuals passionate about and/or providing immigrant mental health and well-being services, regardless of ethnicity or nationality. El Futuro collaborated with the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) to learn more together about immigrant mental health services in North Carolina. Through this partnership El Futuro and the NCIOM have explored the strengths and challenges of various immigrant groups in the state and potential opportunities to address policy issues impacting immigrant access to adequate services and supports for their mental well-being. 

This work was supported by grants from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

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Shared Logo_NCIOM & El Futuro

Why immigrant mental health?

Immigrant populations can face unique challenges and stressors that impact mental well-being. Understanding and addressing these specific needs is vital to ensuring equitable mental health care and promoting well-being in diverse communities. North Carolina’s immigrant population has been steadily increasing. As our state becomes more diverse, it is important to address the mental health needs of immigrant communities now to close the existing gaps in understanding and service provision.

By the numbers: North Carolina’s immigrant community

Population:

  •   Immigrants make up 8% of North Carolina’s population.
  •   43% of immigrants are U.S. citizens, 35% lack legal status.
  •   20% of NC children have a foreign-born parent.

Economic Contributions:

  • Immigrants make up 14% of NC entrepreneurs, generating $1.5 billion in business income.
  • Immigrants pay $8.4 billion in total taxes.
  • 17% of STEM workers in NC are immigrants.

Top Countries of Origin:

  • Mexico (25%)
  • India (10%)
  • Honduras, El Salvador, China, Vietnam, Guatemala, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Germany (2-4% each)

Language Challenges:

  • Top non-English languages: Spanish, Chinese, French, Arabic, Vietnamese.
  • 330,018 Spanish speakers speak English less than “very well."