Serious mental health disorders, those that impact the ability to function, are increasing for Latinos. In the U.S. Latino community, about 16 percent, or approximately 10 million people, report having a mental health condition. But compared to the U.S. average of 46.2 percent of U.S. adults with a mental health condition receiving treatment each year, only 35.1 percent of Latino adults do so.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic put a strain on mental health care in the U.S., and there continues to be a shortage of mental health providers to meet the country’s needs. But Latinos have other unique obstacles to receiving care for mental health conditions, including:
- Suffering in silence due to the stigma of a mental health diagnosis
- Being undertreated due to language barriers with clinicians
- Having less access to healthcare services due to a lack of or limited health insurance
- Experiencing cultural stressors like immigration traumas and discrimination
Latinos can address these challenges by increasing awareness with family and friends about the importance of treatment for mental health disorders. Resources to help individuals access culturally sensitive services include:
- Amanecer Counseling & Resource Center’s team of bilingual professionals provides service to help Delaware Latinos heal, grow and thrive.
https://amanecerde.org/ - NAMI Delaware offers support groups as well as educational content in Spanish
https://www.namidelaware.org/espanol/ - Mental Health America provides resources in Spanish
https://screening.mhanational.org/la-salud-mental-informacion-y-recursos/ - National Treatment Referral Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) offers financial options for people who don’t have insurance.