Mind Your Mental: Mental Health Awareness Month
Human trafficking affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds, whether through sex trafficking and/or forced labor. Each survivor’s journey is unique, yet most share a common struggle—the toll on their mental health.
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to recognize the hidden impact of human trafficking. Survivors often face challenges, including but not limited to, PTSD, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and other mental health conditions that may result of human trafficking trauma. Raising awareness is the first step toward supporting survivors and fostering open and honest conversations about these critical issues.
Understanding the impact of human trafficking is essential to providing meaningful support to survivors. Visit our What Is Human Trafficking? page to learn more about the types of trafficking, indicators, and how we can address these challenges together.
There's Help Out There
In one case example, a criminal organization engaging in sex trafficking subjected young women to unimaginable suffering for over a decade. These women were smuggled from Mexico to the United States and forced into commercial sex in New York. They endured beatings, sexual assaults, and were threatened that harm would come to their families if they did not comply. While these women were eventually recovered, the trauma they endured left lasting scars, both visible and invisible.
In the aftermath, a network of service providers and individuals provided essential support and advocacy, with a strong focus on mental health care. The victims were offered trauma-informed counseling, case management, and comprehensive care. Prioritizing mental health as a cornerstone for survivor healing ensured no one faced recovery alone.
They were also provided a holistic approach to emergency housing, legal advocacy, and clinical counseling, all designed to empower survivors and guide them toward recovery. Together, service providers played a pivotal role in helping these women take their first steps toward rebuilding their lives and finding hope beyond the trauma.
Self Care
The Blue Campaign’s efforts to educate the public about human trafficking is vital, but it can also be emotionally challenging. Confronting serious topics like sex trafficking and forced labor can impact the professionals and advocates dedicated to helping survivors. It’s important to take a step back, reflect, and seek help if you are in need—there’s nothing wrong with focusing on your mental health.
Remember, you’re never alone in this mission. The Blue Campaign is a national effort, supported by thousands of people just like you who are dedicated to making a difference.
Hidden Signs
Human trafficking often leaves hidden indicators that aren’t as obvious as physical ones. Behavioral indicators can include:
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Emotional distress: Do they appear tired or depressed, or show signs of self-harm?
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Loss of interest: Have they disengaged from daily activities or displayed low self-worth
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Confusion or abuse: Are they disoriented, confused, or exhibiting signs of mental abuse?
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Lack of control: Are they frequently with someone who dominates their decisions or movements?
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Behavioral shifts: Is the person suddenly angry, timid, fearful, or unusually submissive?
It’s important to know the indicators of those who may be in mental distress and remain vigilant to help those in need. By taking an active role, you’re not just raising awareness, you’re contributing to meaningful change by preventing the exploitation of those around you and protecting victims from further harm.
Learn how to report human trafficking or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Interested in learning more? Blue Campaign offers additional information on impactful ways you can get involved.
An ICE HSI Milwaukee investigation led to the unsealing of an indictment on April 21, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin, charging a Wisconsin man with seven counts of forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor, and seven counts of alien harboring for private financial gain. The indictment also charged the man’s wife with seven counts of forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor.
According to the indictment, between September 2015 and March 2018, Luis Abreu and his wife, Cybell Abreu, used threats of serious harm and abuse of the legal process to coerce seven unaccompanied alien male children and young men to perform labor and services. The indictment further alleges that Luis Abreu harbored the seven alien minor victims and either knew of or recklessly disregarded their legal immigration status.
The defendants made their initial appearance before a judge in the Western District of Wisconsin and were charged with forced labor, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Harboring an undocumented alien for money or business reasons can lead to up to 10 years in prison.
You can read more about the case here.
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CCHT Empowers Investigators with Advanced Tools, Trauma Support in Annual Human Trafficking Course
In May, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) hosted its annual training event in Huntsville, Alabama, in partnership with ICE HSI’s National Academy for Advanced Training and Leadership. The multi-day training hosted 55 ICE HSI special agents, supervisory special agents, and task force officers from ICE HSI field offices across the United States.
“Investigating human trafficking is demanding work that requires persistence, compassion, and collaboration across every level of law enforcement and victim services,” reflected CCHT Deputy Assistant Director (DAD)Tasha Reid. “Law enforcement plays a critical role in identifying victims, disrupting criminal networks, and ensuring traffickers are held accountable.”
The course equipped agents and task force officers with tools to build stronger cases, support victims, and navigate the complex human dynamics that often accompany trafficking investigations.
The training covered victim protection, the Continued Presence program, the initiative to locate unaccompanied alien children, and insights from lived experience experts. It also introduced Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma (IMPACTT), a wellness and employee resiliency initiative for professionals exposed to trauma.
Highlighting the power of collaboration and ongoing support, participants were urged to maintain the connections they’ve made and to lean on the Center whenever needed.
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