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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Journal of Migration and Health

Correlates of mental health and the cascade of care among in-transit migrants in two border cities in Mexico

  • Cécile Fanton d’Andon1,2
  • Cielo Vazquez3
  • M. Claire Greene1,4
  • Shelzea Regis3
  • Valeria Ruiz3
  • Claudia Aranda3
  • Neetu Mahil3
  • Jeremy Kane5
  • Caleb Miles6
  • Ietza Bojorquez7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Care and Protection of Children (CPC) Learning Network, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 60 Haven Avenue, NY, 10032, United States
  2. 2LaRAC – Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Apprentissages en Contexte, Université Grenoble Alpes – Institut Universitaire de France, 1251 Rue des Universités, Gières, 38610, France
  3. 3HIAS 1300 Spring Street, Suite 500. Silver Spring Maryland, MD, 20910, USA
  4. 4Program on Forced Migration and Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 60 Haven Avenue, NY, 10032, United States
  5. 5Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University 722 West 168th Street, NY, 10032, United States
  6. 6Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University 722 West 168th Street, NY, 10032, United States
  7. 7Department of Population Studies, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Km 18.5 Carretera Escénica Tijuana-Ensenada, Tijuana, Baja California, 22560, Mexico
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Abstract

Background: Migrants and asylum seekers transiting through Mexico face cumulative stressors and limited access to services, heightening their risk of mental health problems. Characterizing demographic and migration-related correlates of mental health and psychosocial problems is essential to identifying opportunities to reduce their risk and improve safety and wellbeing during this phase of the migration journey.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a cohort of 301 in-transit migrants recruited in Tapachula (n = 164) and Tijuana (n = 137), Mexico, between June 2024 and March 2025. We examined demographic and migration-related correlates of moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, assessed with validated instruments (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PC-PTSD-5), using Firth penalized logistic regression. Using a cascade-of-care framework we characterized need recognition, help seeking, and the use of various support services.

Results: Overall, 31.6% met threshold for depression, 27.2% for anxiety, and 43.3% for PTSD, with the highest symptom burden found among women in Tapachula. Female participants had higher odds of depression and PTSD symptoms and gender-diverse participants exhibited higher odds of PTSD symptoms. Exposure to community violence and unmet basic needs, were associated with higher odds of PTSD or depression symptoms and having family or friends in the city with lower odds of PTSD symptoms. The number of adversity domains experienced showed a graded association with PTSD symptoms. No factor was significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Among the 60% screened positive, 49.7% perceived a need for mental health support, 35.4% sought these services, and 33.0% received them.

Conclusion: Mental health needs among in-transit migrants in Mexico are substantial, but effective access to care is limited. Cascade-of-care analyses identify system gaps, emphasizing the necessity for proactive, context-specific service delivery focused on individuals exposed to violence and deprivation.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{dandon2026correlates,
  title = {{Correlates of mental health and the cascade of care among in-transit migrants in two border cities in Mexico}},
  author = {Cécile Fanton d’Andon and Cielo Vazquez and M. Claire Greene and Shelzea Regis and Valeria Ruiz and Claudia Aranda and Neetu Mahil and Jeremy Kane and Caleb Miles and Ietza Bojorquez},
  journal = {Journal of Migration and Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100446},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100446},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Correlates of mental health and the cascade of care among in-transit migrants in two border cities in Mexico
AU  - Cécile Fanton d’Andon
AU  - Cielo Vazquez
AU  - M. Claire Greene
AU  - Shelzea Regis
AU  - Valeria Ruiz
AU  - Claudia Aranda
AU  - Neetu Mahil
AU  - Jeremy Kane
AU  - Caleb Miles
AU  - Ietza Bojorquez
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/15
JO  - Journal of Migration and Health
DO  - 10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100446
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100446
AB  - Background: Migrants and asylum seekers transiting through Mexico face cumulative stressors and limited access to services, heightening their risk of mental health problems. Characterizing demographic and migration-related correlates of mental health and psychosocial problems is essential to identifying opportunities to reduce their risk and improve safety and wellbeing during this phase of the migration journey.  Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a cohort of 301 in-transit migrants recruited in Tapachula (n = 164) and Tijuana (n = 137), Mexico, between June 2024 and March 2025. We examined demographic and migration-related correlates of moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, assessed with validated instruments (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PC-PTSD-5), using Firth penalized logistic regression. Using a cascade-of-care framework we characterized need recognition, help seeking, and the use of various support services.  Results: Overall, 31.6% met threshold for depression, 27.2% for anxiety, and 43.3% for PTSD, with the highest symptom burden found among women in Tapachula. Female participants had higher odds of depression and PTSD symptoms and gender-diverse participants exhibited higher odds of PTSD symptoms. Exposure to community violence and unmet basic needs, were associated with higher odds of PTSD or depression symptoms and having family or friends in the city with lower odds of PTSD symptoms. The number of adversity domains experienced showed a graded association with PTSD symptoms. No factor was significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Among the 60% screened positive, 49.7% perceived a need for mental health support, 35.4% sought these services, and 33.0% received them.  Conclusion: Mental health needs among in-transit migrants in Mexico are substantial, but effective access to care is limited. Cascade-of-care analyses identify system gaps, emphasizing the necessity for proactive, context-specific service delivery focused on individuals exposed to violence and deprivation.
SN  - 2666-6235
ER  -