July 2019
Latinx Mental Wellness Matters

Terms

We at NAMI Urban LA want to provide some terms that we will use to refer to what has historically been referred to as the Latino or Hispanic community. For those who are not familiar, the term Latinx is a gender-neutral term for Latinx Americans. It is widely known as a gender-inclusive term for Latin Americans of diverse identities, communities and orientations, and most notably inclusive of LGBTQIA and non-binary folks. At NAMI Urban LA we want to be respectful of honoring traditions and past for folks of the Latin American community but also want to be mindful of being inclusive to all folks of the Latin diaspora. Thus, we will use the term Latinx in this newslett er.

Overview

The Latinx community is no different when it comes to the prevalence of mental health conditions when compared to the rest of the population. While some believe that Latinxs have a negative attitude toward mental health care, there is very little recent research examining this issue. Barriers to treatment come largely not because of negative attitudes, but rather because of structural challenges to care such as language and socioeconomic factors. The information from this newsletter was taken from NAMI National and Mental Health America to highlight the common challenges that many Latinxs face in seeking mental health care.
How Do Mental Health Conditions Affect The Latinx Community?

Common mental health disorders among Latinxs are g eneralized anxiety disorder , major depression , posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism . Additionally, Latinx high school girls have high rates of suicide attempts.

While Latinx communities show similar risk factors to mental illness similar to the general population, this community experiences large disparities in access to treatment and quality of treatment as well. The inequality around access to treatment and care puts the Latinx community at a higher risk for more serious forms of mental health conditions. 

Latinxs are less likely to seek mental health treatment. A 2001 Surgeon General’s report found that only 20% of Latinos with symptoms of a psychological disorder talk to a doctor about their concerns. Only 10% contact a mental health specialist. Without treatment, certain mental health conditions can worsen and become disabling.

Issues To Consider
Different reasons prevent Latinxs from seeking treatment and receiving quality care. While a large part of it comes down to structural barriers as mentioned, there is still stigma within the community as is true for other marginalized people of color. 


Lack Of Information And Misunderstanding About Mental Health

  • Lack of discussion about mental health issues
  • Lack of information of where to seek treatment, help and support
  • Lack of information perpetuates the stigma associated with mental health issues. Many Latinxs doe not seek treatment out of fear of being labeled “locos” (crazy) as having a mental health condition can cause shame. 

Source : Anxiety and Depression Association of America (https://adaa.org/hispanic-latinos)

Term : The image from the ADAA uses the term Latinos. We apologize it is not consistent with the term Latinx.
Privacy Concerns
 
Many in the Latinx community tend to keep things very private and don’t often want to talk in public about challenges at home. Seeking mental health treatment does not mean that you will lose your privacy. Your diagnosis, care plan and discussions with your mental health providers are confidential and cannot share information without your permission. 

Language Barriers
Language barriers can also make communicating with medical professionals difficult. While many medical professionals today do speak some medical Spanish, they may not necessarily understand cultural issues. If you or you loved one that needs help does not speak English, or does not speak it well, you have the right to receive language-access services at institutions that receive funding from the federal government. You can request a trained interpreter and to receive forms and information in Spanish. 

Lack Of Health Insurance
The Latinx community accounts for one-third of those who are uninsured in the U.S. Many people in this community work low-wage jobs or are self-employed and thus do not have health insurance. The Affordable Care Act has supported the process of obtaining health insurance easier and more affordable. Learn more at https://www.cuidadodesalud.gov/es/ .

Misdiagnosis

Cultural differences may lead doctors to misdiagnose those in the Latinx community. For example, people in this community may describe the symptoms such as depression as ‘nervios’ (nervousness), tiredness, or a physical ailment. These symptoms are in line with depression, but doctors who are not aware of how culture influences mental health may not recognize that these could be signs of depression. 

Legal Status

For immigrants who arrive without documentation, the fear of deportation can prevent them from seeking help. If you do not have legal papers, do your best to seek out clinics and resources that care for all persons. There are organizations that exist and provide care regardless of legal status in the U.S.


Natural Medicine And Home Remedies
Some in the Latinx community rely heavily on traditional healers and also home remedies to deal with health-related issues. At NAMI Urban LA, we celebrate cultural health practices, natural remedies and do want you to engage in these healing practices if they are important to you. We do recommend that with this, you still seek a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or a primary care doctor. It is recommended that you ask your doctor to make these healing practices as part of your treatment plan. Mental health professionals have experience and knowledge of effective types of treatments and what may work for you. We recommend utilizing both approaches in your recovery. 
 
Faith And Spirituality 

Faith and Spirituality can provide support and help you handle a mental health condition with more ease and peace. If spirituality is important to you, be sure to speak with your doctor about how important faith is to you. Your spiritual practices can be apart of your treatment plan. 
Reaching out to your spiritual leaders and faith community is helpful as well as they might be able to provide help and support during difficult times caused by mental health conditions. 
While at times helpful, it is important to recognize that sometimes faith can be a source of additional distress if they are not well informed and do not know how to support families dealing with these conditions.
Cultural Competence In Service Delivery

Culture refers to a person’s beliefs, norms, values and language which plays a key role in every aspect of their lives including mental health. Cultural competence is a doctor’s ability to recognize and understand the role a culture (yours and the doctors’) plays in treatment and to adapt to meet your needs holistically. At NAMI Urban LA we are aware that research shows that there is a lack of cultural competence in mental health care and treatment. This often ends up in misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. The Latinx community and other multicultural communities tend to receive poorer quality of care. 

Although this disparity exists and there is a lack of Latinx providers especially for psychiatry, starting with a mental health provider is still a great start. Below in the newsletter, we have some great resources on how to work with a Latinx provider through a couple of platforms started by Latinx mental health professionals. 

What to ask your Mental Health Provider:  

When meeting with your provider, ask questions to get a sense of his or her level of cultural sensitivity. Do not feel bad about asking questions. While providers should welcome questions, it is important to note that many still are not culturally competent. Your questions give your doctor and health care team important information about you, such as your main health care concerns. Here are some questions you could ask:

Have you treated other folks in the Latinx community? 
Have you received training in cultural competence or on Latinx mental health?
How do you see our cultural backgrounds influencing our communication and my treatment?
How do you plan to integrate my beliefs and practices in my treatment?
“A provider who understands your culture and needs will know culturally specific information. For example, you might describe what you are feeling with commonly used Latino phrases such as " Me duele el corazón. " While this literally means "my heart hurts," it is an expression of emotional distress, not a sign of chest pain. A culturally sensitive doctor would be aware of this and would not assume you were talking about actual chest pain.

Your mental health provider will play an important role in your treatment, so make sure you can work with this person and that you communicate well together. Mention your beliefs, values and cultural characteristics. Make sure the provider understands them so that they can be considered in the course of your treatment. For example, mention whether it is important that your family be part of your treatment.

If finances are preventing you from finding help, contact a local health or mental health clinic or your local government to see what services you qualify for. You can find contact information online at findtreatment.samhsa.gov or by calling the National Treatment Referral Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357)."
Latinx Therapy
https://latinxtherapy.com
Follow on Instagram @latinxtherapy

An online therapist directory to find latinx therapists, bilingual non profits, mental health podcasts and youtube, mental health apps, recommended books, and a space to join the directory if you are a latinx therapy provider. This platform allows you to search for therapists in the U.S.

Therapy for Latinx
https://www.therapyforlatinx.com
Follow on Instagram@therapyforlatinx

Mental Health can be challenging, finding a therapist shouldn't be.
Therapy for Latinx can support you in understanding the process of finding mental health resources and in finding the right therapist for you. Therapists in their database either identify as Latinx,
a Person of Color (POC), or have worked closely with the POC
community and understand our unique needs. All professionals in their database have been verified by providing educational and training credentials. They also verify all licenses. On their public Instagram, they post many words of inspiration, encouragement and break down myths and stereotypes about mental health, with a strong focus on the Latinx community and communities of color.

The Steve Fund
Instagram: @thestevefund

The Steve Fund is the nation’s only organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. The Steve Fund works with colleges and universities, non-profits, researchers, mental health experts, families, and young people to promote programs and strategies that build understanding and assistance for the mental and emotional health of the nation’s young people of color. The Fund holds an annual conference, Young, Gifted & @Risk, and offers a Knowledge Center with curated expert information. With multicultural mental health experts it delivers on-campus and on-site programs and services for colleges and non-profits, and through tech partnerships it provides direct services to young people of color.

NAMI Urban LA De Familia a Familia Clases


NAMI De Familia a Familia es un programa gratuito de 12 o 6 sesiones para familias, parejas y amigos de personas con enfermedades mentales graves. El curso está diseñado para ayudar a todos los miembros de la familia a comprender y apoyar a su ser querido que vive con una enfermedad mental.
 
Se ha preguntado alguna vez…
¿Qué hago durante una crisis psicótica?
¿Para qué sirven todos estos medicamentos?
¿Cuáles son los mejores tratamientos disponibles en este momento?
¿Cómo puedo comunicarme mejor con mi ser querido?
NAMI De Familia a Familia puede ayudarle a encontrar respuestas a estas y a otras preguntas. De Familia a Familia es un programa de educación para familiares y amigos de personas que tienen enfermedades mentales severas. Este programa se concentra especialmente en la esquizofrenia, el trastorno bipolar, la depresión severa, trastorno obsesivo compulsivo y los ataques de pánico. Este programa es gratis para la toda la comunidad.



NAMI Urban LA’s Family-to-Family Education Program (English)

 is for family, partners, caregivers, and friends of individuals with serious mental illness: (course offered in Spanish above) 
  • Bipolar Disorder (also called Manic Depression)
  • Major Depression
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Panic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Co-occurring Brain Disorders and Addictive Disorder
  • Do you need answers to these questions:
  • What happens during a psychiatric crisis?
  • What type of treatment is available for those with mental illness?
  • What is the best way to communicate with my loved one?

We offer a 12-week and a 6-week express course. The course is a series of weekly classes structured to help family members understand and support their ill relative while maintaining their own well being. The course is taught by a team of trained family members who know what it’s like to have a loved one with a serious mental illness in the family. There is no cost to participate in the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program and all course materials are free. Over 115,000 family members in the U.S. and Canada have completed this course. We think you will be pleased by how much assistance the program offers. We invite you to call for more information.
 
WHAT DOES THE COURSE INCLUDE?
 
Current information about schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders, up-to-date information about medications, side effects, and strategies for medication adherence, current research related to the biology of brain disorders and the evidence-based, most effective treatments to promote recovery.

Latinx Social Media Influencers to Follow:

Mental Health & Wellness Women of Color Advocates

Instagram and Website Handles

@yosoyella ( https://www.yosoyella.org )

@thefocusonyou, LCSW Stefanie Flores

@fearlessleon ( https://www.fearlessleon.com )

@melaniesantos.co ( https://www.melaniesantos.co )

@nalganapositivitypride ( https://www.nalgonapositivitypride.com )



Newsletter Created by: Marguerite Alexis Ferrera
School Based Outreach Coordinator/Social Media Coordinator
Email Contact: Mferrera@namiurbanla.org


Sources :

NAMI National
(https://www.nami.org/find-support/diverse-communities/latino-mental-health)

Mental Health America (http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/latinxhispanic-communities-and-mental-health)

NAMI Urban LA| (323)294-7814 | E-mail : info@namiurbanla.org| Website : https://www.namiurbanla.org