DACA Mental Health Coping Guide

Last updated on December 2nd, 2022 at 10:21 am

Dear DACA recipients,

I want you to know that you’re not alone. There’s an entire group of community and people who are behind you, advocating for you, praying for you and fighting to change the laws that keep you in fear of your future. As a mental health professional, my heart is with you. I was a part of a movement with www.latinxtherapy.com as a therapist who volunteered time for non-clinical coping sessions with DACA recipients who were in need of a coping session. I created this Mental Health Coping Guide as a larger effort on my part, to disseminate the skills I discussed in those sessions with folks. Feel free to download the full size DACA Mental Health Coping Guide PDF 8.5×11 and print for you to have or to give out to others who might need it. Please feel free to share it on social media to destigmatize mental health and shed light on all the support that’s needed for this cause.

The skills referenced were pulled heavily from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Trauma informed interventions.

Please note that this post is strictly for ideas and  does not replace medical and professional help. I strongly encourage that you engage in therapy or speak with their medical professional about any of these ideas. If you find yourself in a medical emergency where you or a loved one is a danger to themselves or others, you are strongly urged to call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room. The National Suicide Hotline number is: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). In Los Angeles County, you can also call the Department of Mental Health’s Psychiatric Mobile Response Team – Access Hotline at 1-800-854-7771.

Picture of Sofia M
Sofia M

12 Responses

  1. Thank you Sofia!! Its so wonderful to see an LCSW helping us though these rough times. I am a daca recipient and an LMSW in Texas.

  2. Thank you for your work in creating this. What we also need at a larger scale is for ALL allies to write/call their legislators and their news papers demanding the passing of the Dream Act, otherwise the trauma and abuse from our government will never end.

    1. You are absolutely right, Laura! If you have anything specific about how allies can write/make those calls (how to find the specific information, etc), I’d be happy to add it to the post. Feel free to send me any resources at info@sofiamendozalcsw.com.

  3. Greetings,
    I’m a journalism student a the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I’m writing a feature about DACA students’ mental health. I was wondering if I can have a few minutes to speak with you.
    Thank you so much for your time!

    -Karla Lopez
    (702) 408-2141

  4. Hi, my name is Bridgette Richards. I am the Immigration Legal Services Attorney for El Centro Hispano Inc. in Durham and Carrboro, North Carolina. I think this work is brilliant!!!!!I will provide this to my clients. I want to know if you have a Spanish or French … language copy?

    Thank you so much for your work

    1. Hi Bridgette,
      Thank you so much for your feedback. At this moment, it is not in Spanish or French. It’s a great idea. I will start translating in into Spanish and will post when it’s ready. I don’t speak french and won’t be able to translate it, but if you know anyone who is bilingual in french/english and they are willing to translate, please direct them to me at info@sofiamendozalcsw.com. Thank you!

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