Mental Health in the Latinx Community

Mental health, in general, is such a taboo topic in the Latinx community. Mental health is rarely discussed in the community and when it is, it is heavily stigmatized. This lack of open communication and discussion surrounding various mental health topics creates an environment of embarrassment and a false sense of belief that it is wrong to seek help. With that said, it is important and necessary to acknowledge that when talking about the lack of communication surrounding mental health in our community, we also talk about the unique barriers faced by Latinos that could prevent them from even starting the conversation. Things like health insurance, lack of cultural sensitivity among health advisors, citizenship status, and language barriers can prevent our community from accessing mental health resources. In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only 33% of Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment in comparison to the U.S. average of 44%. This is why it is so important to talk about the intersectionality of mental health, especially when it comes to the many unique barriers our community faces. For useful resources, check out: Latinos.

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