Mental Health Support groups launched in Middle TN.

As family separation continues to harm our communities and public and nonprofit support for mental health services are dwindling, TIRRC saw the need to go beyond legal support and help families process. Meet our volunteer Lina Bravo, a bilingual life coach from Colombia who facilitates transformative spaces for immigrant women, helping them navigate the complexities of life as mothers, caregivers, and individuals in a new environment.

Lina recently concluded an eight-session workshop series with a group of eight Spanish-speaking women connected to TIRRC, aged 40 to 70. These sessions were designed to build a deep support system that addresses the unique challenges these women face—from the "invisible labor" of managing family emotions and cultural preservation to the specific pressures of the "family first" mentality and the guilt that often accompanies it.

Throughout the series, Lina guided the group through essential tools for well-being, including breathing and grounding exercises, body-emotion awareness, and boundary setting. Participants explored heavy topics like stress, fear, identity, aging parents, and even the grief of migration in a safe, supportive environment.

For Lina, the experience has been incredibly fulfilling. She noted that the synergy within the group was immediate and powerful. "The group was so open; they were eager to learn," she shared. Perhaps most moving was witnessing the group recognize their own strength. "Even when some of the women think they are weak, I see how much they’ve accomplished and get to recognize their strength," Lina reflected. 

The impact of these sessions was clear: the participants were so deeply connected and supported that they rallied together to request more time, saying, "We need to let TIRRC know we need more sessions." Lina summed up her appreciation for these participants simply: "They are amazing."