Mental health and immigration

[cheetos 2]

Hello everyone

I'm thinking about moving to the USA by getting the employer H1B sponsorship.

 

I have doubts about answering 2 of the DS-160 questions.

 

 

Can I answer "NO" if I do have a mental illness, but it's in remission and is unlikely to reemerge?
I have old self harm scars on my arms so can't hide it.

Do I need to show any documents to prove that I'm not a threat or can I just state that I'm not a threat as this is what I personally believe?

 

 

When I was around 7 y/o, my own father, who was in fact a human trafficker in Europe, has victimized me and profited from forcibly selling my body to others.
I was a victim. I never benefited from any of it.

Can I therefore answer "NO"?

Honestly it would be really disheartening to be denied entry to the US just because I was abused in childhood. Doesn't feel fair.

 

Edited March 22, 2022 by cheetos

[SalishSea 17,827]

13 minutes ago, cheetos said:

Hello everyone

I'm thinking about moving to the USA by getting the employer H1B sponsorship.

 

I have doubts about answering 2 of the DS-160 questions.

 

 

Can I answer "NO" if I do have a mental illness, but it's in remission and is unlikely to reemerge?
I have old self harm scars on my arms so can't hide it.

Do I need to show any documents to prove that I'm not a threat or can I just state that I'm not a threat as this is what I personally believe?

 

 

When I was around 7 y/o, my own father, who was in fact a human trafficker in Europe, has victimized me and profited from forcibly selling my body to others.
I was a victim. I never benefited from any of it.

Can I therefore answer "NO"?

Honestly it would be really disheartening to be denied entry to the US just because I was abused in childhood. Doesn't feel fair.

 

So sorry that happened to you.   If you have a treated mental illness, and you are deemed as no longer a threat to your own well being, that will be confirmed at the required visa medical later in the process.  Sometimes statements from mental health practitioners under whose care you have been can be helpful.

 

In your situation, I would answer a definitive no to the second question.  Clearly this is the truth.  You were a child victim of the situation.  You did not benefit.  You were harmed.  

 

I am glad that you are looking after yourself now, and please keep coming back to VJ if you need help in your journey.

 

 

[cheetos 2]

29 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

So sorry that happened to you.   If you have a treated mental illness, and you are deemed as no longer a threat to your own well being, that will be confirmed at the required visa medical later in the process.  Sometimes statements from mental health practitioners under whose care you have been can be helpful.

 

In your situation, I would answer a definitive no to the second question.  Clearly this is the truth.  You were a child victim of the situation.  You did not benefit.  You were harmed.  

 

I am glad that you are looking after yourself now, and please keep coming back to VJ if you need help in your journey.

Thank you so much.

So this means that the answer to the first question should be "NO" too?

 

I'm worried that if I answer these questions according to what I believe, I will be accused of lying and therefore banned from entry permanently.

These questions are very unclear because they consist of 2 parts and don't specify if both conditions need to be met for an affirmative answer or not.

[SalishSea 17,827]

4 minutes ago, cheetos said:

Thank you so much.

So this means that the answer to the first question should be "NO" too?

 

I'm worried that if I answer these questions according to what I believe, I will be accused of lying and therefore banned from entry permanently.

These questions are very unclear because they consist of 2 parts and don't specify if both conditions need to be met for an affirmative answer or not.

If I were in your shoes, I'd feel completely comfortable answering "No" to both.  You no longer have thoughts of self-harm, correct?  And, if you do, you know how to seek help?

 

People with a history of self-harm are approved for US visas all the time.  

 

Honestly:  I'm an RN, and I start peripheral IVs on people every day who have self-inflicted scars.  These are happy, well adjusted adults with families and careers, who have overcome their mental health struggles of the past and moved on.   You got this. ❤️ 

Edited March 22, 2022 by Jorgedig

[cheetos 2]

35 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

If I were in your shoes, I'd feel completely comfortable answering "No" to both.  You no longer have thoughts of self-harm, correct?  And, if you do, you know how to seek help?

 

People with a history of self-harm are approved for US visas all the time.  

 

Honestly:  I'm an RN, and I start peripheral IVs on people every day who have self-inflicted scars.  These are happy, well adjusted adults with families and careers, who have overcome their mental health struggles of the past and moved on.   You got this. ❤️ 

 

Your kindness is very heartwarming and much appreciated. Thank you so much for your help and encouragement Jorgedig! ❤️

[CMJuilland 485]

First off, I’m so sorry to read what happened to you, and I just wish you all the best! 

 

As for the mental health question, I used to have severe anorexia and bulimia, but considered myself recovered enough, so I answered “no” to this question on the DS-160.  However, I did bring it up at the medical, and the doc made a note in my file that I made a healthy impression to her. 

 

Best of luck to you!! 

[cheetos 2]

On 3/23/2022 at 2:05 AM, CMJuilland said:

As for the mental health question, I used to have severe anorexia and bulimia, but considered myself recovered enough, so I answered “no” to this question on the DS-160.  However, I did bring it up at the medical, and the doc made a note in my file that I made a healthy impression to her. 

I'm really glad you managed to recover!

And thank you for letting me know it went well for you despite your health history, it's very reassuring.

[SalishSea 17,827]

On 1/21/2023 at 3:46 AM, FosterWest said:

I think everything will be fine. But I would advise you to contact a professional psychotherapist and get recommendations.

You are replying to a thread from 9 months ago.  OP has likely resolved original question.