"Immigration and My Mental Health" - An LGBTQ+ Peoples of Color Discussion Forum

This discussion forum focuses on immigration: LGBTQ+ peoples of color are impacted by their immigration status or absence of status, a look at detention and deportation, culture shock and assimilation, refugee, economic deprivation - homelessness and couch surfing (survival sex and abuse), money, food; health and mental health care, the law and criminal justice system, and lived experiences - intended to make it normal or much easier to speak out, to ask for help and to know what rights and resources are available - that no one has to struggle or suffer alone.

At this discussion forum, panelists, representing a diverse cross-section of these communities will feature advocates, mental health professionals, and legal perspectives to look at many of the factors, including deportation, detention, and asylum; the mental health effects on a person who's struggling with and living in fear; the legal ramifications for someone who is LGBTQ+ and a person of color.

Panelists:

• presentation by NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Tsion Gurmu, Esq. (Baji, Inc.)(Immigration Attorney)
• Steve Welch, LCSW-R (mental health professional)
• Orlando Ferrand (writer/artist/poet)
• Uchechukwu “Uche” Onwa (QDEP)
• Alicia Anabel Santos (Moderator)

Participating agencies and organizations:

• Hostos College - CUNY
• NYC Mayor's Office of Community Affairs
• NYC Office of Immigrant Affairs
• NYC Commission on Human Rights
• NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board
• ThriveNYC
• LGBT Expo
• QDEP
• DBGM & IMM2020
• Caribbean Equality Project
• Recoveries R US
• NYC Care
• NYU Langone Health
• Fountain House
• NYC Health+Hospitals