“When do we go back to Nicaragua?” The emotional cost of young migrants growing up between uprooting and nostalgia
Thousands of Nicaraguan girls, boys, and adolescents arrived in Costa Rica in recent years as part of a forced exodus that has marked a generation. Although they escape contexts of crisis and political violence, many face episodes of anxiety, sadness, adaptation difficulties, and setbacks in their emotional and educational development in their new phase. Experts analyze how migration affects their mental health, the role of families, schools, the state, and support networks, and what paths are still needed to guarantee their integral well-being.
TL;DR
- Young Nicaraguan migrants in Costa Rica are showing signs of emotional distress such as anxiety, fear, sleep problems, and developmental regressions.
- Forced migration disrupts children's lives, leading to loss of home, friends, and familiar environments, which manifests in their behavior and emotional health.
- Experts highlight the impact of precarious living conditions, discrimination, and the emotional state of adult caregivers on children's mental health.
- Supportive adult accompaniment, age-appropriate information, and trauma-sensitive educational approaches are crucial for children's adaptation.
- Costa Rica's Comprehensive Migration Policy 2024-2034 aims to promote social cohesion and integration, recognizing migration as a structural reality.
- International organizations like UNICEF are providing support through 'Child-Friendly Safe Spaces' offering psycho-emotional support and educational activities.
- Schools can serve as critical spaces for containment and early detection of emotional suffering if equipped with trauma-sensitive programs.