Latinx Mental Health
Latinx Mental Health: Addressing Stigma and Accessing Resources
To be Latino is to be proud of our music, food, and charisma. The Latinx population is made up various countries, dialects, and cultures. Mental health is an important piece to our well-being, but unfortunately, it is often ignored, there is often a lack of access to resources, and it is stigmatized in the latinx community. The lack of awareness towards mental health usually manifests in physical symptoms, suffering in silence, and neglect. These experiences can be understood from immigration, acculturation, trauma and generational conflicts. Additionally, lack of access to resources such as institutional and systemic barriers contribute to the unique challenges for Latinx. In this blog, I will address the gaps and normalize conversations around mental health.
Challenges in the Latinx Community:
Stigma can take many forms and look differently for others such as shame, fear and discrimination. Additionally, there are many cultural beliefs that impede/impact the stigma. For example, expressing emotions is usually viewed as a sign of weakness which prevents individuals from seeking help. Furthermore, the stigma can be especially damaging because mental health is seen as a failure rather than a medical condition that should be acknowledged. Therefore, it is important to normalize emotions as a sign of strength. Mental health does not discriminate, it can affect everyone in all different forms. Furthermore, Latinx individuals face discrimination and racism, which leads to psychological distress, low self-esteem, feelings of anxiety and depression.
Accessing mental health resources is another barrier. Many do not have health insurance, which can make it difficult to afford. In addition, language barriers such as poor communication with providers is often an issue, and there is a shortage of bilingual providers who are culturally competent and able to provide appropriate care. Latinx individuals are more likely to seek help from a primary care provider and report physical/somatic symptoms instead of a mental health specialist. This then leads to mental health problems being overlooked because of the focus on physical symptoms rather than psychiatric symptoms such as worry, and sadness during visits. Lastly, latinx individuals feel more comfortable seeking help from a professional who shares a similar cultural background or speaks their native language.
In addition to the wide range in national origin and ethnicity, Hispanic/Latinx immigrants come from diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds and have arrived under different documentation statuses. Immigration related stress includes fear of deportation, separation from family, constant worry about status, and discrimination.
Cultural Considerations:
It is essential to understand cultural beliefs and values in which mental health is viewed. Latinx individuals value harmony and family, which can be brought into the therapy. Involving community support and the family while providing a safe space for individuals to share their distress. Education about mental health is needed and promoting stories of individual who have sought treatment and found success can help reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Additionally, the Latinx community is resilient and religion can play a huge role in theiri strength. Faith and prayer can be incorporated into treatment as a tool. There are resources available to address these challenges and bridge the gap. Dr. Victoria Navarro offers Spanish services and culturally specific mental health treatment. Additionally, there are options to cover the cost of therapy or other mental health services.
Conclusion:
Latinx mental health deserves support and care. It is essential to first understand the cultural values in the context of Latinadad, to provide culturally competent care, address stigma, and increase access.
