Hispanic/Latine Community & Mental Health
The Hispanic/Latine community in the United States is diverse and rich in culture. Though there is immense diversity within the Latine community, there are some common cultural similarities that bridge connection. For example, many people within the community speak Spanish, have a strong connection and duty to their family “familismo”, and feel proud of their indigenous heritage.
Unfortunately, there are many barriers to the Latine/Hispanic community getting access to mental health services in the United States. In fact, only 35 percent of Hispanic/Latine adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 46 % (NAMI).
Because of mental health treatment being heavily stigmatized in the Latine/Hispanic community, often communities suffer in silence. Common challenges that Latine/Hispanic communities face are intergenerational trauma, acculturation, religious trauma, and immigration/refugee distress. Although children of Latine/Hispanic descent experience anxiety and depression at similar rates of non-Latine folks, stigma is a significant barrier to parents seeking mental health support. A study in 2017 found that 70 percent of Latine parents discussed stigma more frequently than White parents (Chavira, 2017).
Another significant barrier to Latine/Hispanic people accessing mental health services is the lack of cultural competency of mental health professionals. There is a scarcity of Spanish speaking therapists within the mental health community. Having a therapist who is not culturally competent and culturally informed can lead to clients experiencing microaggressions, feeling misunderstood, or perpetuating oppressive behaviors. Lastly, cost is significant impediment to Latine/Hispanic folks accessing the mental care they deserve.
Thankfully, there are several resources that the Latine/Hispanic folks can access to find a culturally competent, bilingual therapist:
Latinx Therapy has a national directory of therapists, 98% of whom are Spanish-speakers.
Therapy for Latinx is a Yelp-inspired directory of local Latinx therapists.
Latinx Therapists Action Network is a mental health platform and directory of mental health professionals who serve migrant communities.
National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network is a directory of professionals who specialize in serving LGBTQ people of color. The network also provides financial assistance.
Inclusive Therapists is a directory of therapists who describe themselves as culturally responsive and social justice-oriented.
Sources:
Chavira DA, Bantados B, Rapp A, Firpo-Perretti YM, Escovar E, Dixon L, Drahota A, Palinkas LA. Parent-reported stigma and child anxiety: A mixed methods research study. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2017 May;76:237-242. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.03.013. Epub 2017 Mar 23. PMID: 29576669; PMCID: PMC5860669.
Woodward AM, Dwinell AD, Arons BS. Barriers to mental health care for Hispanic Americans: a literature review and discussion. J Ment Health Adm. 1992 Fall;19(3):224-36. doi: 10.1007/BF02518988. PMID: 10128770.
