Successful Interventions in Latino Mental Health

UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latinx civil rights and advocacy organization, has published a list of federal policies that, if passed, would increase access to mental healthcare for Latinx residents. Lack of access to health insurance is another factor limiting access to mental health services. There is a bond of trust between the priest and community members that can overcome stigma and lead more community members to follow through on referrals and visit a mental health professional.

How common are teen mental health concerns in the Latinx/Hispanic community?

Schools have introduced mental health hotlines and websites, along with emergency response support channels for immediate help. Seeking mental health support is not a weakness; it is a strength that shows you are putting yourself first.” Self-evaluation is key to finding the right health care for our needs — mental health care is no exception. While many schools support mental health in college students, some don’t. Hispanic mental health conditions stem from the same stressors the general population faces. Road to Recovery provides outpatient substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and court-mandated programs (DUI Court program, ASAM Substance Use treatment, Family Violence Intervention Program, Values Clarification, etc.).

• The five sections were (1) organizational assessment, (2) provider demographics, (3) individual level factors, (4) exposure to suicide, and (5) awareness of suicide prevention resources.
• The small number of studies included in our review prevented us from conducting a more formal meta-analysis and identifying which specific intervention elements were most effective for specific outcomes and groups.
• “This type of training is needed in the mental health field because it’s been without it for so long.
• SOMOS Community Care—a network of healthcare providers in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn who have come together to serve Medicaid patients in New York City—began conducting mental health screenings for all patients.

The site also has an events tab where you can find Latinx-focused therapy groups, support groups, and workshops run by Inclusive Therapists members. You can select “Latine/Latinx/Latin American Cultures” under “Cultural Knowledge” to find a therapist or coach within their database who identifies as Latinx or is familiar with your community. You can narrow down your search based on location, speciality, and accepted payment. The foundation, also founded by Alejandre, will likely open up applications again in early 2024, so keep checking the site or the foundation’s socials for more info, she says.

Culturally Affirming Care

Salsberg et al. found that Latinx providers are the most underrepresented ethnoracial group in healthcare (5). The website provides links to wellness resources, including other podcasts and mental health apps in English and Spanish. Inclusive Therapists offers the ability to “find a therapist that celebrates your identity.” It allows for searching based on a therapist’s cultural identity or cultural knowledge, (Latinx/Latin American cultures and others), and on a variety of other features such as spiritual/religious knowledge, therapeutic approach, language, and more. In a partnership with Mental Health America, the site offers mental health screenings for depression, anxiety and other conditions. Latinos have experienced disproportionate economic, physical, and mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adolescents and their families are treated within a safe and caring environment that understands their cultural values. Anyone of any cultural background can experience those barriers, but some cultural communities face additional barriers. Yet there are not many evidence-based treatments available for Latinx/Hispanic teens and adolescents that take into consideration their culture or native language. Of those 7.7 The Loveland Foundation therapy support million people, only 35.1 percent received any treatment.