Photo by Jhon David on Unsplash
Many of my Hispanic friends who have mental health issues don’t get the help they need because their parents don’t believe that their symptoms are real. Mental Health in the Latine community is something they believe to be made up and that your mindset cannot impact your day-to-day life.
“Los problemas mentales no son reales”
“Mental health issues aren’t real.”
It’s upsetting to see my friends suffer navigating mental health challenges alone, without the help of therapy or other forms of support. There is a stigma associated with recognizing that mental health impacts are real and that you might need professional help to overcome them. It is also unfortunate that when my friends do reach out for help, and their parents are supportive, they can’t afford the costs of therapy. For a lot of people in the Latine community, mental health isn’t a priority or a possibility due to systemic issues such as lack of health care, language barriers, or strong religious faith. Below I will be exploring why these stigmas prevail and suggest some solutions.
Religion on Mental Health in the Latine Community
Faith can have a strong role in many Latine communities, so much so that these communities rely on religious resources like churches for educational and social spaces for support more than they trust Mental Health organizations and facilities. According to Rutgers State University Of New Jersey, a study in the journal Hispanic Health Care International, “Latines report experiencing mental health issues at about the same rates as white non-Hispanics in the United States, but they are only half as likely to seek treatment, largely due to stigma influenced by cultural and religious views.”
The same study conducted by Caplan shared that, “Many respondents recalled growing up in communities where mentally ill people were ostracized and where families refused to talk about mental illness or even acknowledge it might exist within their family. Many expressed the belief that depression and other disorders were caused by a lack of faith or prayer.”
Some of the most common beliefs in the Latine community about Mental Health relating to religion, are that if you have poor mental health, it is a punishment or an act of holy justice. Also that mental health is more spiritual than a medical condition. It can also be said that depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression), anxiety, post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD), and self-harm are due to not praying enough, having a lack of faith, bad behavior toward others, and even demonic influences. So to ‘resolve this’ you need to have more faith and pray more.
On the other hand, religion and joining church groups can improve mental health as it brings a sense of purpose, support, acceptance, and forgiveness that can benefit your mental health. Being part of a group will also make you feel less lonesome and reduces stress. It all depends on what you take out of the experience and how you execute it.
Lack of Health care On Mental Health In The Latine Community
Unfortunately, many Hispanic/Latine communities lack access to health care. This could be because of socioeconomics, immigration status, and professionals being unable to address their particular needs. Research from NAMI shows that 35.1% of Hispanic/Latine adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 46.2%. Additionally, considering that 17.0% of Hispanic/Latine people in the U.S. live in poverty, they are more exposed to a higher risk of mental illness, and the cost of insurance is practically impossible to cover.
Secondly, many undocumented immigrants don’t want to get help from professionals because of the fear of deportation. There are facilities and programs aiming to help those without documents like the Affordable Care Act. Yet if they are not aware of these opportunities, many children and adults will be left without support. On the other hand, the many families that do know about health care can still be wary of the services, fearing they will be detained and separated from loved ones and the place they worked so hard to reach.
According to NAMI, “more than half of Hispanic young adults ages 18-25 with serious mental illness may not receive treatment. This inequality puts these communities at a higher risk for more severe and persistent forms of mental health conditions because, without treatment, mental health conditions worsen.”
Lastly, there is a persistent inequality shown in many healthcare facilities, which limits the amount of help Latine people can access. Prejudice, judgments, and a cultural barrier can prevent Hispanics from feeling comfortable, understood, and seen in mental health facilities. All Health Care places must treat Hispanics as equal human beings and recognize their particular needs.
Language Barriers
Many Latine communities only speak Spanish, and most of the time, they rely on their young ones to translate for them. Although this is helpful, it places a lot of responsibility on children, and the translation can be complicated when communicating with doctors since the language of mental healthcare can be difficult to translate. Thankfully, we are seeing more inclusivity in clinics with professionals who speak Spanish or are bilingual, but there is still more to be done.
Latine people are very diverse, and there are people in Brazil who speak Portuguese or people coming from Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia who speak Quechua. “A provider without training on how culture influences a person’s interpretation of their symptoms is highly likely to misdiagnose them.” Said NAMI. Misdiagnosing someone can be extremely dangerous, possibly threatening people’s lives. For this reason, it’s really important that Hispanic and Latine families can rely on dignified and accessible healthcare.
Quotes
Due to the topic of Mental Health In The Latine Community, I have asked some family members and loved ones for their take on the topic of Stigma on Mental Health in the Latine community, their answers are below.
“Our people don’t believe in having mental health issues or going to therapy. Many Hispanics don’t talk about those types of things or speak about them with doctors. ” –My father Jared Ortega
“I think that as Hispanics we tend to undermine the concept of Mental Health, as we prioritize other areas of life significantly more, such as family, occupation, and even location.” –My significant other Brandon Martinez
“The reason behind a stigma such as this is probably tradition. Mexicans and Latinos in general, are proud people. No one wants to ask for help for any reason. Therapy is like a bad word. My mother would rather work three jobs to support her family than get assistance.” –My uncle Raymond Ortega
Facing the Stigma
My uncle brought up a very good point when speaking about Mental Health Stigma. “Mexican and Latinos, in general, are a proud people.” This is very true; being proud of our heritage and roots tends to move us away from asking for help. Often times we don’t want to be seen as weak or in need of assistance. It’s even harder for Hispanic men with mental health issues because machismo and sexist ideas responsibilize them for providing and protecting their families. So asking for assistance, especially when it’s for their mental health, can be difficult.
Overall, to face the stigma, I propose that we do the following things:
- Educate the Latine community about Mental Health care
- Making Mental Healthcare affordable and aware of cultural barriers.
- Work with translators to erase the language barriers.
- Have honest conversations among families on the physiologic side of mental health.
- Support family involvement in Mental Healthcare.
- Accept that we all need help, and there is nothing wrong with seeking support.
