Expanding Possibilities: Flexibility and Solidarity with Under-resourced Immigrant Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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Authors: | Celia Falicov Alba Niño Sol D'Urso |
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Institution: | 1. University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA;2. Alliant International University, San Diego, CA, USA;3. University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA |
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Abstract: | The novel coronavirus has added new anxieties and forms of grieving to the myriad practical and emotional burdens already present in the lives of underserved and uninsured immigrant families and communities. In this article, we relate our experiences since the COVID-19 crisis to the lessons we have learned over time as mental health professionals working with families in no-cost, student-managed community comprehensive health clinics in academic-community partnerships. We compare and contrast the learnings of flexibility of time, space, procedures, or attendance we acquired in this clinical community setting during regular times, with the new challenges families and therapists face, and the adaptations needed to continue to work with our clients in culturally responsive and empowering ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe families, students, professionals, promotoras (community links), and IT support staff joining together in solidarity as the creative problem solvers of new possibilities when families do not have access to Wi-Fi, smartphones, or computers, or suffer overcrowding and lack of privacy. We describe many anxieties related to economic insecurity or fear of facing death alone, but also how to visualize expanding possibilities in styles of parenting or types of emotional support among family members as elements of hope that may endure beyond these unprecedented tragic times of loss and uncertainty. |
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Keywords: | Under-resourced Immigrants Community Clinic Health Disparities Latinx Telehealth COVID-19 Impact de escasos recursos inmigrantes clínica comunitaria desigualdad sanitaria efecto de la COVID-19 telemedicina 缺乏资源的 移民 社区诊所 健康差别 COVID的影响 远程健康诊疗 |
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