Understanding the Barriers
Michelle Mata wasn’t diagnosed with a mental illness until she was 23, after years of suffering. Growing up in a Latino family in San Antonio, mental health was a taboo topic. At appointments, she was terrified of telling the truth.
“I didn’t want to tell doctors because I knew that as soon as I disclosed what I was feeling, my freedom was going to be taken away from me and I was going to be put into the hospital,” said Mata, now 53. She now works at the San Antonio chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, coping with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Statistics and Challenges
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that just over one-fifth of Hispanic adults reported having a mental illness. However, Hispanic adults were less likely to receive treatment compared to multiracial and white adults. Barriers include the lack of Latino mental health professionals and language barriers.
Efforts to Bridge the Gap
SOMOS Community Care in New York City started mental health screenings for all patients, regardless of the reason for the appointment. Many patients live in heavily Latino neighborhoods, and it can be easier for them to lower their guard when a familiar doctor sets them up with a mental health professional.
“You go to a doctor that looks like you, speaks like you, understands your culture and language,” said Riquelmy Lamour, the director of behavioral health and social work at SOMOS.
Increasing Awareness
Dr. Julia Macedo, a psychiatrist in Pittsburgh, emphasized the importance of having mental health professionals who can understand the unique experiences of Latino patients. The national suicide and crisis hotline, 988, offers services in Spanish, and Congressional Democrats have proposed bills to improve mental health education and outreach for Latinos.
Community Initiatives
Servicios de la Raza in Colorado has a diverse Spanish-speaking staff and sees about 10,000 patients a year for mental health services. The Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles County has expanded services for the county’s 4.8 million Latinos, including peer-to-peer hubs and traditional healing methods.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
No responses yet