Twenty years ago, Hami Torres fled Mexico at age 13, her 11-year-old brother in tow. Terrified, they trekked for hours with a group of older strangers through desert scrub that slashed Hami’s bare legs bloody. Then the two children were folded into the spare-tire compartment of a car for the drive across the border.
The Torres children had left their home country to reunite with their mother and stepfather, who had entered the United States three months before. Yet once the children made it to this country, the ordeal wasn’t over. They lived in a crime-ravaged neighborhood where Hami was expected to join a gang for protection. She constantly feared being found by immigration authorities, always looking over her shoulder for officials who might find out she was undocumented.
Share This Post!
The Effects of Racial Trauma on Mental Health: Deaths Captured on TV and Media
National Alliance on Mental Illness Racial tension is once again at a critical tipping point in the U.S. Many people have asked, “Why now? Why was the death of George Floyd [...]
Behavioral Health Specialists Help Locals Kick the Winter Blues
By Brian D. King Christmas, New Year’s, and the winter months feel blue to many. While the season brings together family, which for many is a source of joy, but for [...]
Penn State Researchers Publish Study on Adolescent Recovery from PTSS
By Melissa Krug Children in the United States may be exposed to a high rate of adverse experiences that result in post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), which can appear as feelings of [...]
Break the Silence; New Intensive Online Program to Help PTSD, Trauma and Anxiety
Purple Heart Behavioral Health This innovative new online program offers treatments that have been scientifically shown to be effective in helping people overcome these difficulties. Clinically proven treatments delivered conveniently through [...]
Adults With a History of Childhood Trauma Can Benefit From Recommended Depression Treatments, Contrary to Current Theory
The Lancet Psychiatry, neurosciencenews.com Patients with major depressive disorder who experienced trauma during childhood see symptom improvement following psychopharmacological intervention, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. The results of a new [...]
Post-Traumatic Growth: What You Need to Know
by Nicole McDermott Trauma—either as a one-time event or prolonged exposure— can cause a wide range of mental health issues including flashbacks, sleep disturbances, anxiety, grief and substance misuse. Healing from [...]