A path of hope and healing for people on the move

Launching the Mental Health Program in Juarez, Mexico, in partnership with the Humanitarian Health Initiative for the Border (ISHF), supporting migrants with care, dignity, hope and compassionate accompaniment. Photo: Fr Alvaro Martinez SSC

Today, we give thanks to God as we take an important step in our pastoral and humanitarian mission: starting the Mental Health Program. This initiative comes from our deep commitment to the dignity, life and hope of migrants. In a world shaped by forced displacement, inequality and vulnerability, this program is a real sign of care, support and love for others.

The city of Juárez in Mexico has welcomed thousands of migrants searching for a safe place to rebuild their lives. At the Columban Ministry of the Border, we support them by meeting basic and spiritual needs. Through our work, we have seen that mental health is essential for people of all ages to join a new community and look to the future with hope.

We are very grateful for our year-long partnership with the Humanitarian Health Initiative for the Border (ISHF). This group of health professionals, guided by compassion and a commitment to social justice and human rights, has helped us support migrant’s physical and mental health. Your involvement makes our mission stronger. It helps us care for people more completely, knowing that mental health is key to rebuilding lives.

Migrants bring with them stories shaped by pain, loss, uprooting, uncertainty and often violence from their home countries or during their journey. These experiences leave unseen marks that affect their emotions, self-worth and hopes for the future. As a faith community, we know that healing the heart and mind is just as important as caring for the body. Jesus showed compassion to those who suffered, looked at them with kindness, listened without judging, restored their dignity and gave them hope.

We are happy to welcome the professionals joining our Columban Team. Each brings valuable experience from different organisations and a caring, professional approach to working with people on the move. They will focus on group support, as well as educational and community activities that build relationships, improve daily life and encourage resilience, mutual help and a sense of belonging.

We have also set up a clear plan for individual psychological care. Each professional can work with up to five people in ongoing therapy sessions, usually lasting eight to 12 sessions, with the option to extend if needed. This support aims to provide emotional help, tools to handle trauma and a path towards healing.

Our program is a seed of hope planted in a time of pain and uncertainty. We believe that with professional help, solidarity and our faith, we can support deep healing and change. We always remember that every migrant is sacred, carries God's image and deserves to live with dignity, peace and hope at every step of their journey.

Columban Fr Alvaro Martinez lives and works at the U.S./Mexico border.