Domestic Violence and Mental Health in Immigrant Communities

Baron welcomes listeners to NepYork Podcast and introduces the topic: domestic violence and mental wellness in immigrant communities. He shares that surveys and conversations across the Nepali community in Queens revealed domestic violence as a critical need alongside immigration issues.

Dr. Berry discusses her journey: Nigerian immigrant parents, raised in Minnesota with five siblings, emphasis on education and giving back to community. She shares a formative moment in high school when a family friend (an "aunt" in the community) was killed in a homicide. This tragedy sparked her father to rally the community and her to dedicate her career to addressing domestic violence.

Dr. Berry tells the story of a patient she treated during her residency who reached out 10 years later to share she'd entered a PhD program. This patient initially came in with a history of family neglect and abusive relationships, feeling hopeless. Through treatment, Dr. Berry helped her name what was happening (using clinical frameworks like the DSM-5) and gave her hope. The message: recovery is possible.

Dr. Berry cites CDC data: 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. She emphasizes that these numbers are likely underestimates in immigrant communities due to underreporting caused by intersecting factors: immigration status, cultural stigma, racism, and systemic barriers.

Domestic violence is not just physical. Dr. Berry explains the forms: emotional (berating, name-calling), financial (controlling money and economic resources), sexual coercion, and psychological control. She shares the story of her aunt, a nurse earning good money, whose husband garnished all her wages—leaving her with no autonomy or escape route.

For immigrants, abuse takes a specific form: abusers leverage immigration status as control. Threats include: deportation, visa denial, green card revocation. Abusers use cultural pressure ("I'll tell your parents back home"), community ostracism ("I'll tell the community you're a bad person"), language barriers, and fear of racism to keep survivors trapped.

Dr. Berry emphasizes "psycho-education"—teaching people about their own mental health and rights. Once you understand what's happening, you regain agency. NYC Health and Hospitals runs public campaigns (including during COVID with testing vans) to educate about domestic violence and mental health, meeting people where they are.

Leaving is statistically one of the most dangerous moments—abusers often escalate. Yet staying means ongoing trauma. Dr. Berry advocates for survivor autonomy: help people weigh their options and provide safety resources whether they stay or leave. She shares a tragic story of a woman in Harlem shot by her partner as she was preparing to leave.

Survivors often aren't believed. Emotional abuse leaves no physical evidence. Housing insecurity is a primary barrier—one of the biggest reasons domestic violence leads to homelessness for women and children. NYC has 53 DV shelters (the largest concentration in the country), but it's not enough.

NYC Health and Hospitals operates under "Care for everyone, no exceptions." When someone discloses domestic violence, they're connected to DV Coordinators, mental health clinicians, social workers, and resources. The system is integrated so survivors don't fall through cracks. Services are free regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Dr. Berry's final message: You are not alone. Recovery is possible. There is hope.