55 Mental Health Resources for People of Color

Two articles reported findings from a single-site study (Hernandez & Organista, 2013; Sanchez et al., 2019), and five articles reported findings from multisite studies (Cabassa et al., 2015; López et al., 2009; Tran et al., 2014; Unger et al., 2013; Wong et al., 2017). Three articles reporting two different intervention studies used a randomized control group design (Cabassa et al., 2015; Hernandez & Organista, 2013; Unger et al., 2013a), and four studies utilized single group pre/post designs (López et al., 2009; Sanchez et al., 2019; Tran et al., 2014; Wong et al., 2017). In total, seven articles reporting findings from six unique intervention studies were included in our review. Studies have shown that Latinos/as reported higher rates of shame and embarrassment about having a mental illness than non-Latino/a whites, thus limiting their help-seeking for mental health problems (Jimenez et al., 2013). Jorm and colleagues (1997) define mental health literacy as the public knowledge and beliefs of mental disorders that allow for recognition, management, or prevention.

Finding a psychologist, therapist, or mental health professional

Mental health care is available for the Latinx/Hispanic community. In addition, this community faces some unique challenges that can make it even more difficult to get the mental health help they need. In this case, it’s best to use word-of-mouth to find who in your area provides safe mental health care. The American healthcare field can be a challenge for people who are undocumented, who often worry about being detained or separated from their families. It’s no secret that there is a stigma in the mental health field, no matter the demographic.

When it comes to therapeutic approaches for Latinx clients, it’s all about finding the right blend of culturally relevant techniques and The Loveland Foundation therapy support evidence-based practices. The experiences of our parents and grandparents – whether it’s political upheaval, poverty, or migration – can leave lasting impacts on our own mental health. The pressure to succeed, support family back home, and navigate a new culture can be overwhelming. For the Latinx community, finding a therapist who understands their unique cultural experiences and challenges can be the key to unlocking a path towards healing and well-being.

While the financial cost of care is the leading reason for those with serious mental illness to not receive care, the prevalence of cost as a barrier is much higher in our study population than prior estimates (62.7% vs. 37.7%) . The biggest gap between having poor mental health and connecting to mental health care was moving from wanting mental health care to trying to seek help. However, only a small proportion of those who wanted to connect to mental health care actually attempted to seek help, and an even smaller proportion was successful in connecting with mental health care.

actions you can take to help prevent suicide.

• Identity And CultureIdentity and culture for members of the Hispanic/Latinx community is as complex and rich as the history and trajectory of this population.
• Improving knowledge of mental disorders and treatments is a critical step for helping people seek help in times of need and initiating and hopefully engaging in mental health care.
• This is consistent with previous studies that show that men are less likely to seek treatment than women, even when they are experiencing the same levels of distress, a tendency that is even more pronounced among men from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.59 One reason men may underutilize mental health services is that they have less favorable attitudes toward mental health services, rooted in traditional masculine norms and stigma surrounding mental health problems.60 Additionally, women may have had a higher utilization of healthcare compared to men because pregnancy is an important point of entry to healthcare services, and many women in Baltimore’s Latino community are of reproductive age.4
• While immigration to the United States has slowed in recent years, the undocumented population may continue to grow if programs such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are ended (99).
• Stigma and mental health literacy are two significant barriers to mental health care that can be targets for intervention.

Thankfully, these organizations are connecting Hispanic/Latinx communities to culturally relevant care and to each other, helping to strengthen community resiliency. Without access to treatment, this can often worsen mental health conditions. Studying factors, such as country of birth, time living in the USA, and acculturation, might be important in learning more about the extent to which the “Hispanic paradox” plays a role in mental health outcomes among emerging Latino communities comprised of non-Mexican immigrants. Despite these limitations, this paper presents valuable information on the mental health needs of a unique and growing Latino community in the mid-Atlantic. Members of different sociocultural groups have shown to experience stress and emotional suffering in diverse ways.42, 52 In some cases, symptoms fit the description of a specific disorder according to the DSM, but at other times, affective distress can be expressed as an undefined and generalized form of anxiety or depression.43, 53 Medically unexplained symptoms represent an important burden to the healthcare system, and it has been estimated that they account for approximately a quarter to half of all patient visits in primary care settings in the USA.41, 43, 54

There has been an increase in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide among historically marginalized populations in the United States, particularly Latinx adults. Schedule a call with one of our health care coordinators to answer your questions and help you find the best solutions for you and your loved ones! Anxiety, depression, addictions, and other mental health issues can’t wait. Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, Latinx/Hispanic individuals are less likely to seek or receive treatment. The need for mental health help cannot be overstated. A 2021 study found that those in the Latinx/Hispanic community reported more anxiety and stress in addition to depression as a result of the pandemic.