Promoting equity in access to mental health services: Exploring cultural attitudes among Latinos

Background: San Bernardino County has one of the highest unmet adult mental health needs in California. Although Latinos account for 50 percent of the county's 2 million residents, the Department of Behavioral Health reports that Latinos represent 28 percent of all DBH consumers. Given the difference between penetration rates and population demographics, researchers aimed to identify and explore the cultural perceptions of mental health and access to mental health services among Latinos. Methods: Based on the principles of appreciative inquiry (AI) and community-based participatory research (CBPR), Project Access study integrated a mixed-methods approach to identify the social context, perceptions, access, and use of services for behavioral health among Latinos. Researchers partnered with local community health workers to conduct six focus groups, 21 key-informant interviews and 348 surveys with Latino consumers and non-consumers of mental health services. Results: This presentation reports on key findings including identification of barriers (attitudinal and structural), culturally specific perceptions, and utilization trends for comparative analysis. Community-generated recommendations for policy and systems change using a socio-ecological model to promote equity in access to mental health services are also discussed. Conclusion: Cultural sensitivity and awareness in the professional realm are not enough to bridge the gap in access disparities. Conversations at the community level can help increase awareness and encourage those who need services to seek appropriate help. Addressing access disparities requires work at both ends of the relationship: within the community and within the mental healthcare system.