Border Patrol's Mental Health Crisis: When 'Tough Guy' Culture Meets Human Tragedy

Trigger Warning: Mention of suicide and mental health struggles ahead. If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free and confidential services.

SANTA TERESA, N.M. — In a shocking tale of "I told you so," Border Patrol Agent José Gil knew a tragedy was brewing when he encountered a smuggler at the fence. "Don’t bring them across," he warned. "You are going to kill them."

Surprise, surprise! Migrant deaths have skyrocketed along the West Texas and southern New Mexico border for the second year in a row. But hey, who’s counting, right? Just the families of the deceased and the border agents haunted by the bodies they find. No biggie.

Through Friday, a whopping 175 migrants have died in the El Paso Sector this fiscal year. That's more than last year's record of 149 deaths. ** Buckle up, folks! It's a bumpy ride.**

The Tough Guys are Struggling

Border Patrol's mental health crisis has led to an unprecedented expansion of support after 15 agents committed suicide in 2022. Because nothing says "job satisfaction" like a suicide epidemic. But hey, at least they're finally addressing the toxic, macho culture, right?

Agents face a plethora of issues:

• The never-ending policy-go-round.
• Harsh, lonely working conditions.
• The joy of finding decaying bodies in the desert.
• The lighthearted task of rescuing migrants in distress (over 900 rescues this year, up from nearly 600 last year).

Resources? We Got 'Em!

CBP has finally decided to give a damn about its agents' mental health. Hallelujah! Here's what they've done:

• Hired six operational psychologists (with more on the way).
• Introduced "resilience specialists" to connect psychologists with field agents.
• Launched a K-9 program for mental health support (because dogs make everything better).
• Created programs for stress management, child care, pet care, and financial education.
• Changed policies so agents seeking help won't lose their badge and gun permanently.

But wait, there's more! Agents can now access the chaplaincy program and volunteer "peer support" agents – because nothing says "mental health support" like chatting with your equally traumatized coworker.

Rescue Attempts Gone Wrong

Dozens of agents in the El Paso Sector have witnessed deaths or found bodies this summer. Just another day in paradise.

Agent Steven Figueroa recounted a failed rescue: "She drowned... It’s just rough. You try so hard... and it slipped through your fingers." But don't worry, folks! His supervisor reminded him about the available resources, and his coworkers asked if he was okay. Awww, how sweet.

The Grim Reality

Three hours after Gil's warning, around 100 migrants began scaling the border fence. After a desperate attempt to save an elderly man, Gil watched as the man took his last breath just 30 yards from the highway.

"That got me really, really bad," Gil said, recalling his nightmare that night. But hey, at least the smuggler cried too, right?

Stay woke, folks. This is the reality of our border crisis. It's not just about policies and politics – it's about the people living this nightmare every day. And if our border agents are struggling, imagine the sheer desperation of the migrants risking it all for a better life.

For more stories like this, reach out to Lauren Villagran at lvillagran@usatoday.com.