On October 5, 2023, APA Services submitted commentsopens in new window to the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH) ahead of the council’s November meeting, which was attended by APA Advocacy staff. NACMH advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration on matters relating to migrant farmworkers and migrant health care centers.
In addition to the written comments, APA member, Javier Rosado, PhD, presented testimony to the council about the comments. Rosado is a licensed psychologist, an associate professor at Florida State University, and researcher focused on the mental health needs of migrant farm-working families. He added his personal experience with older migrant workers and treating them after a farmworker came to his facility having severe mental health concerns.
Overall, the comments emphasized the importance of quality mental health care for this population, and specifically, highlighted the need for more attention to older immigrants, women, and children of farmworkers. APA Services advised using a population health–based approach to extend access to care and adopt evidence-based integrated care. The letter also pointed to the need for federally qualified health centers to have the tools necessary to screen for and treat mental health distress in migrant farm communities.
APA Services noted that migrant workers generally face a myriad of social and environmental stressors that can impact their mental health. For example, aging workers are often forgotten, and migrant women are vulnerable to violence and sexual assault. Additionally, children from migrant farmworker families face several stressors, including educational disruptions. These factors necessitate taking a population health approach that addresses the cultural, economic, environmental, and occupational contexts that influence health status, well-being, and functioning across the lifespan.
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