The Trump administration’s barrage of actions including deporting undocumented immigrants, firing federal workers, freezing funding, proposing cuts to safety net programs and targeting of diversity, equity and inclusion are taking a toll on mental health, some south suburban care providers say.

“Unfortunately, it’s having a very negative effect on folks’ mental health and emotional wellness,” said Shaniqua Ford, CEO and founder of Richton Park-based Soul Werk Cafe, an African American owned mental health care private practice.

“What we know from research is that social determinants of health include things like folks being able to live in safe environments, being able to pay bills and have secure stable employment. Right now, there’s an upheaval of all of these things.”

Federal government workers, small business owners and nonprofits serving marginalized communities, among other individuals, are dealing with the stress of uncertainty, said Ford, a licensed clinical social worker.

There’s “existential dread” that’s happening right now, and many have increased safety concerns and worry “if it’s safe to be outside, specifically if you’re part of a historically marginalized group because there’s an increase in hate speech and crimes associated with that,” Ford said.

People are dealing with racing thoughts and sleep disturbance, and worry about what bad news they will wake up to the next day, care providers shared.

“It’s causing folks to have anxiety, depressive episodes and to lose hopefulness,” said Ford.

Among Soul Work Cafe’s focus areas are anxiety and stress, depression and chronic sadness, cultural identity and belonging, and grief and loss, including the death of a loved one and job loss.

Many people are worried about where their next check will come from and others where their next meals will come from, Ford said.

“There’s concern about censorship, about deportation of folks they’ve built their lives with and friendships with,” she said. “All these things are hitting home. It’s overwhelming and dysregulating.”Twin Green, founder, president and CEO of The Link & Option Center, a mental health services provider with four locations in South Holland and Hazel Crest, said the agency’s clients include individuals who’ve had family members deported and separated.

Among immigrant populations, fear is prevalent.

“Adults are fearful, and kids are fearful to be away from their parents,” said Green. “There’s the fear of family members being snatched up and separated.”

“They are not communicating outside of their circles. They are protecting themselves, living in a bubble,” Green said. “There’s fear of their children committing suicide because their anxiety levels have increased. They are afraid all the time.”

Mental health care providers also shared some clients avoid coming in for face-to-face sessions and have turned to telehealth services out of fear that immigration officials might come into the practices and take them into custody.

Clients at The Link & Option Center include individuals in trade apprenticeship and other training programs, who are worried about the targeting of DEI programs. There’s fear they will lose those opportunities, said Green, who has a doctorate in health care administration.

The Link & Option Center’s services include 24/7 crisis services, outpatient primary care screening and monitoring, family support and counseling, case management for social determinant of health needs, and mental health and substance use treatment services. It assists about 7,500 clients each year.

Calls to its crisis line have spiked the past few months, said Green.

Her agency counsels veterans, and she’s concerned that with federal job cuts, many veterans across the country, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, won’t be able to get the help they need. And the Trump administration’s blanket, unproven explanations the thousands of federal workers let go have been fired for cause will make it difficult for many to draw unemployment benefits, she said.

“It’s spiking anxiety and depression,” she said. “Unemployment, if they get it, it’s not going to last. It’s a difficult place to be in, a scary place. “

Many dealing with addiction are abusing substances more as a means of self-medicating and avoiding thinking about what’s going on, mental health counselors also said.

Meanwhile, nonprofits are worried about how their organizations and clients may be affected by proposed federal budget cuts.

This is all occurring at a time when we were already dealing with a “mental health crisis” in the U.S., according to Mental Health America. Its annual State of Mental Health in America report, released last year, revealed nearly 60 million adults experienced a mental illness in the past year and nearly 13 million adults reported serious thoughts of suicide.

One in five young people from ages 12 to 17 experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year, and more than 3.4 million youth had serious thoughts of suicide, the report stated.

What can one do to help maintain mental health in today’s chaotic environment? Don’t deny what you’re feeling; it’s real, said Ford, who also advises limiting news and social media consumption, recognizing what isn’t in your control and focusing on what you can control. Engaging in activities that bring you joy and staying connected to friends, loved ones and social groups are also important, she said.

Avoid spending time with “doom and gloom” folks, but rather associate yourself with positive and encouraging people, said Green, who said to make sure you’re getting the appropriate amount of sleep.

Mental health care providers also stress to reach out for professional help as needed.

Francine Knowles is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.