Mental Health in the Hispanic/Latino Community

Marina Cecere, MPH,MHPN 

The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing

Introduction

• Hispanic/Latino

• Different nationalities/cultures

• Races

• Educational

• Socioeconomic levels

Surgeon General, HHS. (2201)

Immigrants stressors

• New culture & Language

• Discrimination

• Poor living conditions

• Customs

• Legal conditions

Briones, D. F., Heller, P. L., Chalfant, H. P., Roberts. A. e., et al. (2004)

Frequent mental/emotional problems in Hispanics

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Post-traumatic stress

• Substance abuse

Briones, D. F., Heller, P. L., Chalfant, H. P., Roberts. A. e., et al. (2004)

Barriers to mental health services

• Socio-Economic

• Education level

• Person centered

Alegria M, Mulvaney-Day N, Wood M, Torres M, Gao S, Oddo V. (2007)

Positive factors of bilingual providers

• Greater return to follow-up visits

• Stay in care longer

• More satisfied with their care

• Able to communicate freely

Sue, S. et al. (2001)

Interdisciplinary plan

• Primary prevention– Promotion of community meetings

• Mental and emotional well-being• Prevention of substance abuse

• Secondary prevention– Clinical setting early prevention

• Identification of problem behaviors• Counseling and/or treatment

Shea, P. & Shern, D. 2011

Primary Prevention

• Educating the population about mental health issues

• Teach stress reduction techniques• Support and provide prenatal education• Provide parenting classes• Provide support to care givers• Provide bereavement support

Local Community Meetings

• Community Programs in Non-Clinical Settings– Less Intimidating & More Inviting– Fosters Comradery

• Program Types– Stress reduction– Parenting classes– Bereavement support

Vega, W. A. Kolody B., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S. & Catalano, R. (2003).

Local Clinical Support

• Educating population on health care issues

• Provide support and prenatal education

• Provide support to care givers

• Home care services

Home Care Services

• Eliminates barriers

– Enhanced appointment adherence

– Increased comfort level

– Decreased fear of community perception

Portes, A., Kyle, D. & Eaton, W. W. (2004)

Disciplines involved

– Doctors– Nurses– Social workers– Guidance counselors– Psychologists

Leadership via delegation

• Education of health care professionals– Bilingual professionals– Cultural sensitivity

• Governmental Program Support– Local government and associations– State government– Federal government

Delegation

• Bilingual health care professionals

– Printed material in Spanish

• Health care professionals

• Community

Marcia Stanhope, Jeanette Lancaster (2011)

Critical thinking

• Cultural Sensitivity

– Americas

– Caribbean

– Europe

Financial Considerations

• Established Programs

– Work related health care benefits

– Government related health care programs

– Community association programs

– Private “out of pocket” programs.

Summary

• The United States Substance and Mental Health Services Administration

• The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

• Eli Lilly and Company Foundation• Johnson and Johnson• Bristol Myers-Squibb Company

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Research into Action. Retrieved from: www.napolitano.house.gov/mhcaucus/reports/ critical_disparities_in_latino_mental_health.pdf 

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Surgeon General, HHS. (2201) Mental Health: Culture, Race and Ethnicity 2001.

Vega, W. A. Kolody B., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S. & Catalano, R. (2003). Help-seeking for mental health problems among Mexican Americans. Journal of Immigrant Health, 3, 133-140.

Retrieved from http://www.springerlink.com/index/x477801033460757.pdf