Assessing and addressing barriers to Mental Health services for Latinos

Statistics from the County of San Bernardino indicate that while Latinos account for almost half (47%) of the county's population, and over 50 percent for the City of San Bernardino, Latinos use a small fraction (28%) of mental health services. To examine the reasons for this limited use of mental health services among Latinos, this study explores patterns of mental health services use and barriers in accessing mental health care among Latinos. Since cultural beliefs and attitudes affect how minorities respond to mental health problems, this study examines cultural and structural barriers, health beliefs and practices, and stigma that make it less likely for Latinos to access mental health care services.

Using a mixed method approach, researchers conducted 6 focus groups and 150 surveys of consumers and non-consumers (community members) in Spanish and English with Latinos in San Bernardino, CA.

This presentation reports on preliminary findings from focus groups that show that there needs to be more education regarding mental health; that culturally bound mental health illnesses like “ataque de nervios” and “susto” need to be addressed using culturally specific methods; and Latinos under-utilize mental health services due to structural and cultural barriers such as language, transportation, cost, and mainly fear of deportation.

Culturally competent approaches to increase the quality and access to mental health services must be developed. Most effective approaches involve the community in identifying challenges and solutions. Using the promoter model with a focus on mental health looks promising for future strategies that improve access and quality of mental health services.