Migrant children face mental health challenges in Mexico and Guatemala

Migrant children traveling through Mexico and Guatemala are experiencing significant psychological distress, including behavioral changes, persistent fear, and sleep disorders. According to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Migration (INM), 15,656 children and adolescents from countries including Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and various African nations were assisted in 2025. Of these, 1,001 were traveling unaccompanied.

Health professionals report that many minors have witnessed extortion, detentions, and family separations, leading to symptoms such as bedwetting and anxiety. Experts note that migration routes are evolving; while Tapachula serves as a containment point, Mexico City has become a location for family reorganization, and Ciudad Juárez acts as a zone of prolonged uncertainty for those awaiting passage to the United States.

In response to the humanitarian needs in the region, a call for volunteers has been issued for the 12th generation of the Voluntariado Mx program. Participants will support shelters and refugee centers in Mexico and Guatemala by assisting with food distribution, hygiene supplies, administrative registration, and recreational activities to ensure dignified treatment for those in transit.