Psychology in the Hispanic and Latino Community: Salud Mental for Everyone
By Kimberly Uraga Garcia
Have you ever heard that psychology is not real? Growing up, I remember people within my community would say that anyone who struggles with mental health issues was simply not strong enough. In the Latino community, it was very common for parents to speak to their children when they were crying or expressing emotions, but it wasn’t to console them but rather to tell them that they did not have a good enough reason to cry, and they needed to hide their feelings, as crying was only for weak people. We now understand that this misconception is rooted in cultural values such as machismo, in which the Latin community emphasizes strength and resilience, particularly among men. Today, we face the issue of younger generations of Latinx individuals not receiving proper mental health due to the stigma surrounding mental health.
Stigma refers to a set of negative and unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something. The Latino community is known for having a firm core of beliefs and values. Many of these beliefs suggest that mental health issues can be cured through home remedies and spirituality. One example of these home remedies is the practice of “Limpia,” or spiritual cleaning, which is believed to help with mental and emotional well-being. This is often performed by curanderos, “traditional healers,” or family members based on the belief in the connection between spiritual energy and mental health. While home remedies are known to be effective for some physical illnesses, there is no evidence that home remedies help with any mental health problem. This belief is rooted in older generations that view mental health struggles as a way of seeking attention or overreacting over a problem that could be easily resolved. Although there are a lot more stigmas that surround mental health within this community, it is essential to consider the many different factors that prevent many members of the community from seeking professional help. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 18.4% of Latinx reported experiencing mental health issues, but only 6.5% of them received treatment (Senn et al., 2023). This study highlights that the Latinx population reported a higher level of health care discrimination compared to non-Latin/ Hispanic individuals. The research was conducted to understand the reasons why the Hispanic community reports a high rate of discrimination while receiving any type of health care, including mental health services. The results indicate that ethnicity and income were the main reasons why most people felt they did not receive adequate care. The high cost of therapy and medication, combined with a fear of discrimination, creates a significant barrier. Additionally, language barriers and the lack of representation in the health care system can impact Hispanics not seeking support. When providers do not speak the same language or lack understanding of cultural values, it leads to misdiagnosis or misunderstanding, and patients can feel like their feelings are being dismissed. There is also a noticeable lack of Latino representation within the mental health system in the United States, which creates a barrier for Latino patients from receiving and seeking sensitive care.
How can we help?
Educate yourself about the challenges and stigmas of mental health in the Latino community, as well as learn about Hispanic psychology.
Volunteer or donate to organizations that support the Latino community.
Be an ally; this can be done by participating in cultural events and amplifying the voices of people in the Latino community.
References
Ruiz, E. (2016, December 8). 5 Myths that uphold mental health stigma in Latinx communities. Everyday Feminism. https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/12/myths-mental-health-latinx/
NAMI California. (2020, October 22). Mental Health Challenges and Support: Latinx Communities. https://namica.org/mental-health-challenges-in-latino-communities/
Senn, S. A., Stutts, L. A., & Kietrys, K. A. (2023). Health care discrimination and psychological health by the intersection of ethnicity and income. Stigma and Health, 9(4), 605–608. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000448