There are number of potential key factors linked to the underutilization of mental health services. The lack of access to mental health services continues and it is the most serious problem within the Latino community. Numerous Latino families leave their country of origin, to find better opportunities in the United States since the opportunities for employment in their own country are scarce and the violence has made it unsafe to raise their families. As Latino immigrant families transition and adapt to the United States, or as second generation individuals try to embrace both cultures, they experience a range of adverse experiences. Some of the adverse experiences include substandard housing, abuse, trauma, stigma, discrimination, and poverty
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Such discrimination, as well as the many other barriers they face on a daily basis, places the Latino community’s physical health, mental health, and general well being in jeopardy leading to the need of mental health services. However, Latino individuals who suffer from a mental illness go untreated, as they do not seek mental health services from their local organizations and programs. There are key factors that lead to the underutilization of mental health services by the Latino community that will be discussed throughout this learning brief. The Latino community is often exposed to intense contextual challenges and several barriers, which prevent them from accessing and utilizing mental health care services. However, I have limited to a few that I believe to be upon the most important …show more content…
In an analysis of individuals with psychiatric disorders, persons who are Latino (5.6 %) were significantly less likely to have received specialty mental health care than non-Latino White persons (11.9 %). Among Latinos with psychiatric disorders, 7.15 percent were seen in the general health sector and 11.6 percent were seen in the human services sector. The critical shortage of mental health facilities and general practitioners and specialized providers, especially in rural (and some urban) areas, has repeatedly been identified as a major problem (Badger et al., 1999). Latinos sought help for mental health issues from medical doctors, priests and faith healers. About 50% of the participants indicated that even if they needed to see a mental health provider they would likely first ask their medical doctor about it (Bray and Rogers, 1995). Most Latinos do not know where to find mental health services and due to this problem they seek help from their primary care physician in hope that they will direct them towards the right services Latino individuals also find it easier to speak to someone at their church. As stated by Susman and Bruce (2008), clergy members expect and hope to see their congregants as often as possible
Such discrimination, as well as the many other barriers they face on a daily basis, places the Latino community’s physical health, mental health, and general well being in jeopardy leading to the need of mental health services. However, Latino individuals who suffer from a mental illness go untreated, as they do not seek mental health services from their local organizations and programs. There are key factors that lead to the underutilization of mental health services by the Latino community that will be discussed throughout this learning brief. The Latino community is often exposed to intense contextual challenges and several barriers, which prevent them from accessing and utilizing mental health care services. However, I have limited to a few that I believe to be upon the most important …show more content…
In an analysis of individuals with psychiatric disorders, persons who are Latino (5.6 %) were significantly less likely to have received specialty mental health care than non-Latino White persons (11.9 %). Among Latinos with psychiatric disorders, 7.15 percent were seen in the general health sector and 11.6 percent were seen in the human services sector. The critical shortage of mental health facilities and general practitioners and specialized providers, especially in rural (and some urban) areas, has repeatedly been identified as a major problem (Badger et al., 1999). Latinos sought help for mental health issues from medical doctors, priests and faith healers. About 50% of the participants indicated that even if they needed to see a mental health provider they would likely first ask their medical doctor about it (Bray and Rogers, 1995). Most Latinos do not know where to find mental health services and due to this problem they seek help from their primary care physician in hope that they will direct them towards the right services Latino individuals also find it easier to speak to someone at their church. As stated by Susman and Bruce (2008), clergy members expect and hope to see their congregants as often as possible