Families may encourage silence around emotional struggles, promoting resilience through “aguantarse” (endurance) or prayer instead of professional care (Interian et al., 2010). Join our newsletter and get first access to our events, resources, opportunities, and inspiring stories. Mental Health Connector1-1 support from a therapist (for students in CA) If the groups are all booked, fill out this waiting list form and select that you’re interested in the support groups, and Immigrants Rising will reach out to you when registration opens, a rep says.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE
- We begin by describing the social and political factors shaping the health of undocumented immigrants at each stage of migration.
- And let’s not forget about the elephant in the room – the stigma surrounding mental health in Latinx cultures.
- Earlier research found the intervention effective in reducing stigma among teenagers broadly, but it was unknown whether it could reduce high rates of stigma among Black and Latinx adolescents, particularly boys.
- Beyond the perceived need for mental health care, studies have shown minority populations and marginalized communities in the U.S. may experience more barriers to accessing care, including sexual and gender minorities with disabilities , aging and geriatric populations , and Muslim immigrants .
- A recent study found that only 8% of Latinx caregivers indicated that their child had ever received MEB health services (Ramirez et al., 2017).
- Their immigration legal status makes them ineligible for most public health insurance programs with the exception of emergency services (27, 48, 53, 130).
In addition to being ineligible for public health insurance programs, many are also unable to access private health insurance. Their immigration legal status makes them ineligible for most public health insurance programs with the exception of emergency services (27, 48, 53, 130). Although there has been limited empirical research on the health of undocumented Latinx immigrants overall, three particular health issues have received more attention. For example, compared with regions such as the Southwest, the Southeast and Midwest United States have fewer social institutions, such as public transportation or extended social networks, available to help immigrants live easily without a visa or driver’s license (35, 69). Researchers have noted important regional differences in anti-immigrant sentiment, including the type of discrimination that undocumented immigrants experience and the community resources available to undocumented immigrants.
Hispanic/Latinx history in the current US territory goes back to the first encounters between Europeans and Indigenous people of the so-called New Continent. Traditionally, Latino or Latina, the Spanish word for Latin, includes all the Latin American people. Moreover, it has led to the vilification of the term Hispanic by some people who have considered the term as European and therefore less preferred. In the United States, Hispanic and Latin are terms that commonly refer to people who—either themselves or their ancestors—come from other parts of the American continent.
Mental health care-seeking and barriers: a cross-sectional study of an urban Latinx community
So, mi gente, let’s make mental health a priority. Whether you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, or just need someone to talk to, there are culturally competent therapists out there ready to support you on your journey to mental wellness. The future of Latinx therapy is bright, with increasing numbers of Latinx individuals entering the mental health field and bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. This shift isn’t just benefiting the Latinx community – it’s enhancing the field of psychology as a whole, pushing for greater cultural competence across the board. Building trust in the mental health system is another crucial step. It’s worth exploring all avenues – your mental health is an investment in yourself and your future.
In addition, the journey through Mexico is particularly risky for Central American migrants.15, 17 A high proportion suffer unintentional injuries and various forms of violence, such as theft, extortion, mugging, kidnapping, trafficking, and sexual abuse perpetrated by Mexican gangs and federal officials that take advantage of their vulnerable status.15, 17, 18 Once in the USA, immigrants face additional stressors related to their documentation status, language and cultural barriers, fear of family separation, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare and public services.19, 20 This study presents a unique opportunity to explore the burden and nature of mental health needs among a population for which healthcare information is rarely attainable and highlights the need for culturally competent screening mechanisms and interventions to address the stressors faced by emergent communities. Further considerations could involve examining community-based ethno-cultural services in the delivery of mental health services facilitated through collaborations and partnerships between community members of all levels, as significant evidence suggests that individuals from culturally distinct communities tend to utilize elders in their community, religious leaders, or traditional healers to deal with mental distress over professional healthcare providers.21 We must continue promoting the voices of marginalized communities to build upon this conversation to promote positive mental health outcomes for this population. Researchers in one clinical and CBPR study found that teachers and school systems played a significant role in referring Latinx children to mental health services and these factors predicted the utilization of such The Loveland Foundation therapy support services.7 Future CBPR studies should further examine the impact of school-based interventions and parent engagement on Latinx youths’ utilization of mental health treatment. The current structural inequities in the US healthcare system place Latinx youths at a higher risk for poor mental health outcomes.4 Despite the increased prevalence of mental health disorders among Latinx adolescents and their families, they encounter unmet mental health needs stemming from disparities in the availability, accessibility, and quality of mental health services.1 Until we acknowledge and address these limitations of our healthcare system and the disparities in the social determinants of health, we continually fail to foster the social and emotional well-being of this vulnerable population.
