Addresing Psychological Trauma and Mental Health Disparities

Empowering Communities Through

The Restorative Circles Project, conducted between 2022 and 2023, was designed to address the urgent mental health needs of low-income Latinx immigrant communities residing in rural California. Led by Dr. Evelyn Vázquez and Ms. Conchita Pozar, this project provided a compassionate, community-driven approach to healing, offering safe and supportive spaces where individuals could openly discuss their mental health challenges and provide mutual support.

The project brought together a diverse and dedicated team, including promotoras (community health workers), bilingual medical students (Spanish and English), mental health professionals, and academic collaborators. Uniquely, our team was trilingual, communicating in Spanish, Purépecha, and English—ensuring that even indigenous language speakers had access to critical mental health services.

Dr. Vázquez enhanced the capabilities of the team by designing and delivering a training series focused on community psychology and transformative approaches to implementing restorative circles. This training empowered the team to facilitate these healing spaces effectively, ensuring that every circle was inclusive, culturally sensitive, and tailored to the community's specific needs.

Funding:

This project received a one-year funding from Desert􏱠􏱹 Healthcare District.

parental mental health and infant nutrition

Our Study

During the months of May, June, and October 2022, we held nine restorative circle sessions. A total of 110 community members attended. Restorative Circles are community-based mental health interventions. We work with three low-income immigrant communities living in the eastern Coachella Valley (ECV), including farmworkers, relocated communities, and the Purépecha a Pre-Colombian indigenous community.

What Are Restorative Circles?

Restorative circles are structured, community-based gatherings that encourage participants to engage in honest, empathetic conversations about their experiences and mental health struggles. These circles create safe environments for individuals to share trauma, receive emotional support, and foster collective healing.

By adopting a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, the project ensured that participants played an active role in shaping the interventions, making the process culturally relevant and responsive to the unique needs of Latine and Pre-Colombian indigenous communities.

Why Restorative Circles Matter?

Mental health inequities in rural, low-income immigrant communities are heightened by various barriers, including language differences, fear of accessing services, stigma, and geographic isolation. Restorative Circles directly address these issues by:

Promoting Emotional and Psychological Healing: Creating open, non-judgmental spaces for participants to share their mental health concerns.
Building Community Support: Strengthening connections within the community to reduce isolation and foster resilience.
Addressing Stigma: Encouraging open dialogue about mental health helps to normalize these discussions and reduce the fear of seeking help.

Supporting Mental Health in Rural Latinx Immigrant Communities

The Restorative Circles Project has had a meaningful impact on rural Latinx immigrant communities by offering a model of mental health support that is inclusive, culturally relevant, and community-driven. The recommendations from participants point to critical next steps in expanding mental health services and ensuring ongoing community support.

This project is a testament to the strength and resilience of the communities involved, and it highlights the power of collective healing in addressing mental health disparities. By continuing to create spaces for dialogue and connection, we can support the mental and emotional well-being of immigrant communities across rural California.