The effects of recent federal immigration enforcement actions have reached far beyond those directly targeted. Families, neighbors, and entire communities are grappling with heightened anxiety, grief, and anger.
Sahan Journal spoke with these mental health professionals on how they’re processing the events, and what advice they’re providing clients, family and friends. Their answers have been edited for length and clarity.
- Marcus Schmit, Executive director of NAMI Minnesota
- Paul Harper, Psychiatric social worker at NorthPoint and owner, Healing Heart Therapy (Harper’s opinions are his own and do reflect those of NorthPoint.)
- Aja King, LPCC, Counseling psychologist and owner of Brave Defiance
- Nancy Rocha, Clinical manager and psychotherapist, Canopy Mental Health & Consulting
What dynamics are happening that people are processing? What’s the larger conversation?
Aja: People are processing grief, fear, and honestly…a deep loss of safety. And that hits different depending on your lived experience.
For Black, Brown, Indigenous, and immigrant communities—some of this is old trauma getting stirred up again. For a lot of white folks, I’m hearing this shift of: “Wait… this can touch me too.” And while I understand the concern for BIPOC friends, I’m pushing us to move beyond “feeling bad” and into solidarity—because fear alone doesn’t protect anybody.
When violence hits in a way that feels public, unpredictable, and supported by systems, it doesn’t just feel like “an incident.” It feels like a message. And folks are asking: Who is safe? Who is protected? Who gets targeted? Who gets believed?
That’s the larger conversation happening underneath all the headlines. White folks have to examine how violence has plagued their community and lineage for centuries. They have to learn how their history of violence sits in their bodies, and why they can see this as normal towards Brown and Black bodies, but are shocked when it occurs to them. I recommend “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Menakem to learn more about this.
The death of Renée Good has people shaken because it reinforces that the cost is real and the stakes are not theoretical. My biggest push is: we can’t keep “othering” each other. The minute we believe we’re separate, we get played against each other. Collective care and collective strategy is how we survive agendas rooted in dehumanization.
How are you handling this as you support others?
Paul: I have a background in public service as a peace officer, military officer and social worker. I identify why my heart is feeling so heavy, what is the tightness that I feel. I do a lot of deep breathing to calm my central nervous system.
As I articulate my truth to my clients, then they feel safe and comfortable to share how they’re feeling. And once we can get them opened up and processing about it, then that can be helpful. They’re feeling helpless. What can I do? How can I protect myself? I ask my clients if they have a plan and if they have critical documents if they get stopped by ICE to try to protect themselves.
I despise when people are taking advantage of people. So my first instinct is to fight to push back because I’m a Marine. But this is not Afghanistan. This is not war. I have to do it in the way that the governor and other people are saying to peacefully protest.
Right now, the solution is in our community. We must look across differences and coalesce in the name of humanity. I try to inject hope in people in the midst of what’s happening.
How can I make my fellow human beings feel safe wherever they’re at? For me, it’s selflessly serving those in crisis. Sometimes it’s a smile. It’s an act of kindness. I went to an ethnic-presenting store recently, not even in my own community. I spent my money there because I want to show that I value them. We see acts of kindness from people creating GoFundMes and helping others.
We are not powerless. You’re only limited by your creativity. So think outside the box, but also I choose to do it in a nonviolent way. There’s other people that will go out and protest in person, and I say thank you to them. And for me, I have to do it in a way that is best for me and my family.
How can people stay informed and not get overwhelmed? How should we approach mental health during these times?
Marcus: Prioritizing mental health is always important, especially right now. Giving yourself space to feel what you’re feeling, rather than carrying it all on your own. Acknowledging your emotions without judging them or pushing them away. Being kind to yourself and remembering that your reactions are human and understandable. Writing things down, taking time to reflect, or talking with someone you trust can make a real difference.
It’s important to pay attention to how we take in information. There’s a big difference between staying informed and feeling constantly overwhelmed. Limiting social media consumption is critical because doomscrolling overloads our nervous system, ramps up stress, and makes it harder to think clearly or stay connected to one another. What helps instead is staying grounded through community, real conversations, supportive relationships, and taking small, purposeful actions.
A lot of us are feeling helpless right now, but finding small ways to contribute can make a big difference. Simple things like offering transportation, dropping off groceries, checking in on a neighbor, volunteering for a hotline or legal observation, or filling a shift to stand watch at a local school. These actions may seem small, but they instill a sense of purpose.
For those directly affected or have loved ones affected by the current situation, what approaches and sources of support do you recommend?
Aja: First—what you’re feeling makes sense. When something hits your community like this, people can be in shock, confused, numb, angry, scared, all of it. Sometimes your body is reacting before your brain even catches up.
What I tell families and friends is: don’t try to fix it—just don’t leave people alone in it.
Support looks like listening. It’s okay to ask, “How are you feeling?” or “How are you doing today?” And then… let them answer how they answer.
Try not to hit people with the “it’s going to be okay” or “I know how you feel.” Even if you mean well, that can feel like you’re rushing them to be fine. Instead, give space. Let them cry. Let them vent. Let them sit there quiet. If you don’t know what to say—say that. “I don’t have the perfect words, but I’m here.”
And if we’re talking coping, I’m big on what I teach through my work:
- Bridge the gap: get real information, not rumors, and make a simple plan.
- Find Your tribe: don’t isolate—pick one-two people you can really lean on.
- Rest in freedom: your nervous system needs breaks. Turn the TV off. Put the phone down. Get outside. Breathe.
- Conquer loneliness: stay connected on purpose, even if it’s just one check-in a day.
If somebody is spiraling—panic, not sleeping, can’t eat, can’t function—please don’t play strong. Use real supports like 988 or Hennepin County COPE for crisis help.
Nancy: It is recommended that folks directly impacted by ICE activity make safety plans with family. Let someone know where you are and what time you can be expected back. Coordinate with a friend or family member to run tasks or errands on your behalf. Know your rights— organizations such as Monarca provide workshops.
More than anything I have found that acknowledging that this is a scary time, and it is ok to be afraid and need more support than usual is validating for people and can reduce a sense of isolation that can be felt.
How can I talk to my kids about what’s going on? What’s appropriate depending on their age?
Nancy: As parents we want to protect our littles, and youth from harm. It can be challenging to know what to disclose. I would first make a plan depending on how old the child is to communicate with daycare, preschools, and grade schools.
- If the child is an infant or toddler, connect with family members or trusted friends for additional points of contact as needed, sign the required releases and consent forms to ensure your child is where you want them to be in the event something unforeseen occurs.
- For elementary school children, the same is important, with the added caveat that since they may be able to be home on their own, it is important they have access to numbers to call if their parent does not come home. Put these on the fridge. It may also be important to have bags packed and a safe location to go to as a family. Let the child know that it may be possible to go someplace safe for a little while since so much is going on right now.
I would recommend consulting with a school social worker, counselor or community organization, including local spiritual/religious institutions, to tailor individual messaging based on their age.
What are affordable or free mental health resources available?
Marcus: We are sharing timely information on social media and creating materials that address concerns about using 988, offering guidance for coping with fear and anxiety, and resources like our Helpline, Warmline, support groups, and educational tools. 988 is completely confidential: you do not need to share your name with a counselor, and the 988 system only detects your general location based on the cell tower your mobile phone connects with or your landline’s area code.
NAMI Minnesota also offers an Introduction to Trauma and a Trauma-Informed Approach class. A one-hour overview of trauma, its impacts on the brain, and the guiding principles of a trauma-informed approach. Email Danielle Thornton, MPH at communityeducationcoordinator@namimn.org to request a class for your organization or community. We also have free online support groups and classes focused on stress, trauma, and building resilience.
