Comics help destigmatize mental health issues among migrant workers in Vermont

[Global Nation] 'People think that crossing the border is the hardest part, but the worst part is finding a way to survive after you arrive.' In Vermont, where more than 50% of its residents live in rural areas, Latino migrants are increasingly stepping into unfilled roles in agriculture, dairy and construction. But Vermont winters can be challenging. Add to the mix not knowing the local language, little access to public transportation, and separation from home and it becomes a recipe for isolation, depression, substance abuse and other mental hurdles for migrant farmworkers. So a group of community workers came up with "El viaje más caro" or "The Most Costly Journey" — a project to create a comic-based stories that spotlight the experiences of Latino migrants in Vermont. Migrant storytellers and 13 local Vermont artists collaborate to destigmatize mental health issues. Together they create stories about language barriers, navigating new professional relationships, the traumatic experience of crossing the border and the pain of family members left behind. “It makes me sad to think what one suffers and goes through just to get here. To be able to work and send money home," said storyteller José, 38, a dairy farmworker. During the production of his comic, José disappeared without warning. [These comics help combat mental health challenges for migrants in Vermont]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Plus, here are a few more stories you might have missed: [How Republicans are courting the Latino vote]( Over the years, the percentage of Latinos who have voted for the Republican party has stayed pretty consistent — even as US President Donald Trump has made immigrants and Latinos a scapegoat for many of the nation's problems. [How the Beatles created a sense of ‘place’ for this Argentinian American]( When Lucía Benavides moved to the US from Argentina as a young girl, she clung to the Beatles’ music for something familiar. [DOJ can't 'intimidate us,' says Washington county sued over sanctuary policy]( Attorney General William Barr has announced new lawsuits this week against California, New Jersey and King County in Washington. All three places have sought to offer immigrants some protection against what they view as overzealous federal immigration enforcement. [Analysis: Beyond Cuban exceptionalism and toward the 2020 elections]( For decades, Cubans have been granted preferential treatment when immigrating to the US. Cuba scholar Rebecca Bodenheimer analyzes what moving away from Cuban exceptionalism could mean for the 2020 election. Thanks for joining us! — Marnette Federis, education editor [GlobalNation FB]( [Global Nation Twitter]( [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( Global Nation is a part of PRI - Public Radio International.