Mental Health In Latinx Communities: How Culturally Competent Care Can Foster Healing
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The racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of Hispanic or Latino/Latine communities can make it challenging to identify the needs of certain subgroups and communities. Moreover, while the term Latinx may not be embraced by many Hispanics or Latinos, this article uses the term to include those who identify as Hispanic or Latino/Latine. In this article, we'll explore the strengths and challenges of Hispanic/Latinx/Latino communities when it comes to mental health. We'll examine protective factors, possible stigma related to seeking mental health care, and the role of culturally competent mental health services in fostering mental health awareness in these communities.
Mental health in Latinx communities: Strengths
Within the diversity of Hispanic or Latinx communities of various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, there are different mental health needs. However, there can be some shared cultural factors among Hispanic or Latino individuals when it comes to seeking health care services for mental illness. According to the Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, a division of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), strong family bonds play an important role in many of these communities. These bonds can contribute to resilience and influence the way that some individuals relate to mental health. In addition, many other protective factors can help foster mental well-being among Hispanic and Latinx communities.
What are these protective factors affecting mental health services within communities?
There can be many protective factors in Hispanic/Latinx communities, which relate to cultural values. These factors may include:
- Family values may provide strong emotional support, which can help build resilience and offset challenges, such as experiencing minority stress and mental illness.
- Acceptance of diverse family structures, such as single mothers living with grandparents
- Shared cultural experiences among subgroups may contribute to a sense of connectedness through customs and values.
- Extended social networks
- Bilingual family members can provide translation and broaden health care opportunities.
- Faith communities can provide social connections and resources.
- An emphasis on interpersonal relationships
How do strengths help inform mental health services?
These strengths can help inform a strategic approach to mental health services. Drawing on the strengths of communities that identify as Hispanic/Latino or Latinx may also help tailor mental health care services, including raising awareness of mental illness within family units while respecting individuals' values.
Challenges affecting mental health in Latinx communities
According to Mental Health America, there can be numerous challenges encountered by Hispanic and Latino individuals. These challenges could include generational trauma related to the impact of colonization and violence, discrimination, stressors related to acculturation, language barriers, and a lack of mental health resources. Some individuals may also experience stigma within their communities, which may discourage them from seeking mental health services. A lack of awareness of mental health conditions may also be a factor. Another significant barrier could be the lack of a sufficient mental health workforce that provides culturally responsive care. For example, accurately interpreting the way an individual describes their symptoms of distress may improve mental health outcomes for those seeking treatment.
Addressing challenges
According to the Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, providing integrative care can help address physical and mental health disparities among Hispanic/Latinx communities. Integrative mental health services may involve addressing the role of stigma in seeking mental health treatment, language considerations, and individuals' possible lack of health insurance and viable connections to health care. For example, culturally competent providers may explore individuals' perceptions of mental illness, such as being afraid of being labelled as "crazy," for example. Providers may also seek training in how to appropriately challenge personal beliefs while respecting cultural values. For instance, a person may be encouraged to reframe a "mental health problem" as a mental health condition.
The role of family when seeking mental health services
According to the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, over 30% of Hispanic or Latino individuals live in multigenerational households. When considering mental health within a family network, family support can play a significant role. Cultural values passed down from family members may also affect one's perception of mental illness and approach to managing distress. For instance, one may be more likely to describe physical rather than psychological symptoms when seeking support. Moreover, the ability to trust mental health services can play a significant role in one's willingness to engage in mental health care. This may be the case, for instance, when a person is unable to find a culturally responsive provider within the nearby mental health system.
How collectivist values can contribute to healing
Many Hispanic and Latinx communities strongly value interpersonal skills as a gateway to personal development. Within a collectivist culture, one may look to family and close relationships for a sense of belonging, love, and self-respect. Moreover, the family unit can play an important role in helping individuals realize their potential. Along with loyalty to family, one's view of mental illness and mental health services may also stem from cultural values, such as placing a high emphasis on trustworthiness.
The role of culturally competent care for healing
Generally, the need to develop a therapeutic alliance founded on trust, respect, and empathy can be vital to the outcome of therapy. For Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx communities, trust is also a cultural value. When seeking mental health services for a mental illness, the ability to effectively communicate and feel understood by professionals in mental health care can influence the course of mental health treatment.
Qualities of a culturally competent therapist
Cultural competence refers to a set of behaviors, attitudes, and practices, as well as awareness of one's own biases when providing cross-cultural mental health care. Providers of mental health services for Hispanic or Latino communities, for example, may consider their client's cultural context and values when tailoring their approach. These considerations may help build rapport and a trusting relationship between client and therapist, enabling mental health professionals to address mental illness within the client's cultural context.
LGBTQ concerns among those who identify as Latinx
As a gender-neutral neologism that arose in the early 2000s, LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to embrace the term Latinx to describe themselves. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, around 13% of LGBTQ+ individuals use Latinx to describe themselves, compared to 4% of the Latino/Hispanic community overall. However, Latinx LGBTQ+ communities experience a range of stressors that can contribute to mental illness. Locating mental health services and health care resources that address these stressors can help mitigate these challenges.
Factors affecting mental health in Latinx LGBTQ communities
According to a 2023 Trevor Project survey, 44% of Latinx LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide; 70% reported experiencing a mental illness (i.e., anxiety). Many of the surveyed participants also claimed to have experienced discrimination based on gender identity and race/ethnicity. However, the survey also noted many protective factors affecting mental health. These protective factors include experiencing parental acceptance and cultural pride. Moreover, connecting with responsive mental health services and LGBTQ+-affirming health care may also play an important role in countering challenges.
The benefits of online therapy
One of the main benefits of online therapy is that it can widen opportunities to connect with mental health professionals who fit one's preferences for mental health care. Online therapy through BetterHelp, for example, allows individuals to state their personal preferences, including language preferences, when seeking mental health services. This matching process may make it more likely for Hispanics or Latinos to connect with a licensed therapist who understands the cultural nuances of lived experiences. While it cannot be guaranteed to be matched to a professional therapist who is from or very familiar with Hispanics or Latinos and its culture due to therapist availability, the platform matches you with an appropriate counselor based on factors like your location, language, background, and/or the issues you’re dealing with. Through the platform, a Latinx person can attend live therapy by videoconferencing, phone, or chat sessions — convenient and affordable options when managing symptoms of a mental illness like depression or anxiety.
The efficacy of online therapy
Many studies indicate that online therapy can be effective for alleviating symptoms of a mental illness, including depression and anxiety. A comprehensive review of articles published between 2016 and 2021 suggests that online CBT may produce "clinically significant improvements" in symptoms of depression, regardless of their severity level. The review also suggests that online therapy could offer a way to address societal stigmas and high costs associated with mental health care, while widening opportunities for individuals to connect with mental health services. These factors may be relevant to many Hispanic individuals.
Takeaway
What are some struggles of the Latinx community?
Like other immigrant communities, the Latinx community may face a number of barriers to receiving mental health services, including stigma around mental health care use, difficulty finding culturally appropriate care, and trouble finding a therapist who speaks the native language.
What are the mental health issues in the Latinx community?
Members of the Latinx community may experience anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts at disproportionate rates compared to other population segments. Latino youth may be at particular risk of experiencing mental health concerns and psychological distress.
What are the three barriers to Latinos receiving mental health services in America?
Three barriers to care include:
- Lack of insurance for physical and mental health issues
- Challenges finding culturally sensitive mental health support
- Mental health stigma in both the Latino and Hispanic culture
How does lack of health insurance affect mental health within the Latinx community?
Without insurance, many Latino and Hispanic people forego mental health services due to the high cost. Untreated mental health issues tend to progress and can lead to adverse effects such as domestic violence and suicide attempts, for example.
What percentage of Latinos have anxiety?
According to the American Psychological Association, between 15% and 25% of Latinos have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Women in this community may be more likely than men to develop the condition.
How can we overcome mental health stigma in the Latino community?
There could be several ways to overcome mental health stigma in the Latino community, including:
- Using open, non-judgmental communication about the importance of good mental health
- Educating young adults and families about mental health challenges
- Offering culturally appropriate care
Do different cultures view mental health differently?
Yes. Researchers have been deconstructing cultural aspects of mental health for decades. Some cultures seem to view mental health as similar to physical health while others might see it as more of a spiritual issue. Some communities, such as those in Latin America as well as in the Hispanic culture, tend to stigmatize mental health issues, which can discourage individuals from seeking support.
How to promote mental health in the community?
To promote mental health in any community, it could be beneficial to share information and resources, communicate in the community’s native language, and normalize seeking mental health care. Organizing community events may also be helpful.
Why should we be talking about mental health among Latinx communities?
It could be important to foster an ongoing conversation about mental health in the Latinx communities in order to reduce stigma and normalize the discussion of mental health concerns and conditions. Communication is also important to share resources and opportunities to seek mental health care from culturally sensitive providers.
Why is cultural diversity important in mental health?
Cultural diversity in mental health care is important in order to reach as many people as possible who need mental health services. People may be more likely to seek out mental health care if they know culturally appropriate care is available.
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