The mental health crisis among children and teenagers in the US disproportionately affects Latino youth, according to studies cited in a Los Angeles Times report. Experts and community organizations describe increased anxiety, sadness and fear in immigrant families following the intensification of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in early 2025. They also report that discrimination and concerns about a parent being detained make both children’s daily lives and seeking help more difficult.
The report was prompted by the recent deaths of two young people. Samuel Gonzalez Terrones, 21, died by suicide on August 12, two months after ICE detained his mother in San Bernardino; he had been diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia, and his mother is described as a key source of support for him. Xavier Nungaray-Martinez, a 17-year-old student, died on September 30, and the medical examiner also ruled his death a suicide. Police are investigating allegations that bullying may have contributed to the second death, but have so far found no evidence establishing that connection.
Studies from 2024 and 2025 by the National Institutes of Health, cited by the newspaper, describe increased risks of depression, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders among Latino youth. According to US Department of Health figures, in 2023 Latina secondary school students were 17% more likely than other female students in the US to report a suicide attempt. Recent congressional studies cited in the article report that around 18% of Latino students had seriously considered suicide. In addition, 42% of Latino youth reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless.
Child psychiatrist Lisa Fortuna, a professor and chair of psychiatry and neuroscience at UC Riverside, reports a deterioration following the increase in ICE activity. As she explains, recent community surveys document anxiety, fear and difficulties concentrating in class among children from immigrant families or communities. Brief surveys also recorded more nightmares and greater sadness among children with at least one immigrant parent. These observations reflect the burden described by families and the professionals who support them.
Fear of detention also affects access to mental health services. According to Fortuna, people with precarious immigration status avoid visiting doctors because they worry they could be detained on the way or at the doctor’s office. Therapists have told her that many patients now choose remote sessions so they can continue their care.
The psychiatrist also describes reports of children being bullied because of their ethnicity. Research by her team, even before the recent escalation of ICE operations, had identified a strong association between mental health problems and exposure to racism, discrimination and messages that demean young people and their families. The rise in suicides among children aged 10 to 12 is a particular concern, as children are still developing their sense of self and trying to understand complex issues. Fortuna describes a cycle of mutual worry, with children fearing for their parents and parents fearing for their children.
The report says that efforts tailored to communities’ needs have shown encouraging results. Bilingual professionals who understand families’ cultural backgrounds can meet them in places where they feel safe. Church organizations, schools and “promotoras,” trained female community workers who act as intermediaries between residents and healthcare providers, help connect people with services. The need for this kind of access is also evident in figures cited by the newspaper: around 88% of mental health workers are white, while just 7% of licensed psychologists in the US are Latino.
In Los Angeles, the nonprofit El Nido Family Centers combines mental health support with practical help for families. Clinical director Patty Velasco explains that its programs provide food, household essentials and help paying bills. The aim is to address sources of family stress before the pressure reaches children. The organization serves tens of thousands of city residents each year through various services.
Velasco emphasizes that parents’ involvement is central to this work because they know their child best. Similarly, Fortuna points out that parents themselves often actively seek help, despite the perception that Latino families always view psychotherapy negatively. El Nido’s approach is based on working with families and strengthening the connection between parents and children. Its aim is for young people to see a future in which they have worth and opportunities, without feeling like a burden.
For people who need immediate support in the US, the report directs readers to the 988 mental health crisis line. It also mentions the Crisis Text Line, available by texting “HOME” to 741741 in the US and Canada. For the Latino community in Los Angeles County, it lists therapist directories, bilingual support groups and specialized programs, including those offered through Latinx Therapy, Therapy for Latinx, Mi Centro and Bienestar.
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