Mental Health In Enrique's Journey

Those who migrate to America illegally are often left traumatized by what they have encountered. Mental health can play a huge part in whether they will make it to their destination or not. Many contemplate if it was even worth it especially when they feel homesick or are at a high risk of deportation. In Enrique’s Journey, Enrique’s mental health seriously deteriorated as issues arise as a result of his ghastly journey to America; additionally, his flawed relationships with family/peers, and his abandoned childhood experiences further deteriorate his mental health.

Enrique has suffered from mental health issues due to his flawed relationship with his family and peers. As Enrique arrives in America, he has a profound love for his mother, but

Whenever Enrique would talk to his mother on the phone she promised him that she would be home by Christmas. He waits by the door, but there are no signs of return. Enrique subsequently comes to the conclusion that his mother will never return, “It’s all one big lie. His anger boils over. He refuses to make his Mother’s Day card at school.” This quote evokes a sense of confusion because the lies Lourdes tells Enriques creates dishonesty and false hopes in their relationship, cause of all these lies Enrique feels like there’s no connection he refuses to make the Mother’s Day card. Lourdes's lies will also affect his self-worth because he’ll continue to think he won’t ever be good enough for her to return to Honduras or tell the truth. The author talks about the fantasy kids dream of being reunited with their parents; instead, they feel neglected. The mothers feel like they deserved to be treated with dignity because they “sacrificed being with their children, worked like dogs, all to help provide their children with a better life and future.” This quote conveys how the reality of how mothers only looked through how they felt, but not seeing how their children could possibly be affected by this. In this situation, Enrique would live dirt poor with his mother in Honduras rather than having his mom try to succeed in America. This exemplifies how Enrique is desperate for her attention,