Mental Health in Latinos

Introduction

The Latino community is made up of people from many different nationalities, races, educational and socioeconomic levels. The common threads for most are the Spanish language and common basic cultural values. While many Latinos have lived in the U.S. for many generations, others are recent immigrants who have come to the U.S. to escape poverty, for improved professional opportunities, to flee political oppression. Under any circumstance, immigration can be traumatic. It can lead to the loss of loved ones, extended family networks, discrimination, and poor living conditions. There is also stress in adapting to a new culture, language, and customs. As a result of these stressors, immigrants are at a higher risk for mental/emotional problems—particularly depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse.

Cultural Issues

Although Latinos are quickly becoming part of mainstream U.S. culture, many still face inequities in socioeconomic status, education, and access to health and human services. Recent studies have shown that mental-health programs are not always successful in reaching Latinos in need of mental-health care. Many Latinos rely on their extended family, community, traditional healers, and/or churches for help during a health crisis. As a result, thousands of Latinos with mental illnesses often go without professional mental health treatment.

At-Risk Groups

Studies have shown that older Latino adults and Latino youth are especially vulnerable to the stresses of immigration and acculturation. Many older Latino Americans find the strain of acculturation overwhelming. Their traditional values and beliefs are often at odds with the new culture, they may lack family support, and they also may face language barriers or be physically infirm. Latino youth furthermore have been discovered to be at risk for higher grades of emotional anguish because of the pressures to quickly take up the standards of their new culture, as well as inequality, scarcity, and discrimination. This stress may account for the high number of suicide attempts (the highest among all ethnic groups in the U.S.), high rates of substance abuse, and increasing rates of juvenile justice involvement among this group. Second and later-generation Latino youth also are at higher risk for mental and emotional disorders. Studies have found that Latino youth suffer from many of the same emotional problems created by marginalization and discrimination, but without the secure identity and traditional values held by their parents. In addition, many Latino immigrant parents place high expectations on later-generation children, hoping they will become ...