Assessing barriers and motivators for Hispanics to seek mental health services and treatment: A mixed method approach

Background: Hispanics are not only more likely than whites to suffer from mental illness; they are also less likely to receive proper diagnosis or adequate mental health treatment. The health department in Lyon County, Kansas (a semi-urban community with a high Hispanic population), convened a community team to determine methods of reducing disparities in access to mental health services for Hispanic members of the community.

Methods: Three focus group sessions were conducted with 20 Spanish-speaking participants, as well as moderators and facilitators, to ascertain participant perceptions of barriers and motivators for members of the Hispanic community to seek mental health treatment/services. Qualitative comments from the 20 participants in the focus group sessions were indexed and summarized by topic.

Results: Commonly mentioned barriers to seeking mental health treatment/services included language, lack of insurance, cost, fear of what family/friends would think, fear of being deported, lack of documentation, fear of being called “crazy,” and lack of education/information about assistance. Commonly mentioned motivators included support from family/friends, intensity of problems, mental health problems negatively affecting family, urban residency, high income, information about mental health treatment, adequate health insurance, and interest in reducing stigma/discrimination.

Discussion: Participants perceived a stigma for seeking mental health treatment/services. Still, members of the Hispanic community desire more information on mental health problems and the treatment resources available. Creative and intensive outreach efforts are needed to assure early and effective treatment for Hispanics facing persistent barriers to accessing mental health care.