🌎 A study examines the experiences of unaccompanied Central American children and adolescents who migrated along the Mexico–United States route, revealing a continuum of violence from their place of origin to their final destination.
Based on interviews with 20 young migrants and 14 key informants, the findings show that many leave their countries to escape domestic violence, organized crime, and threats of gang recruitment. During their migration journey, they report robberies, kidnappings, abuse, shootings, and other traumatic situations. At their destination, they also face institutional challenges, including detentions and barriers in protection processes.
🔎 These experiences profoundly impact mental health, leading to anxiety, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and difficulties adapting. Nevertheless, the study highlights that these young people also develop coping and resilience strategies: they report abusers, form support networks, seek to resume their studies, and try to rebuild their lives with their families.
📍Check it out: https://cadernos.ensp.fiocruz.br/ojs/index.php/csp/article/view/10341