Written by Dr. Idania Hernandez-Gato. Reviewed by Dr. Erin Lawton.
Hispanic/Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing minority in the United States (U.S.).
The population reached 63.6 million in 2022, compared to 56.6 million in 2015. By 2060,
this group is expected to grow up to 129 million, which corresponds to 30% of the U.S.
population.
The Hispanic/Latino community is exceptionally diverse and includes individuals from
several backgrounds and races. This group, particularly immigrants, have faced multiple
challenges across generations, including inequities in socioeconomic status, education,
language barriers, and access to healthcare services.
There are misconceptions about who to recognize as Hispanic/Latino, so first it is
important to understand the difference between the two terms.
- Hispanic refers to language and it is a term used to describe a person who comes
from a Spanish-speaking country, or their ancestors come from Spain and/or other
Spanish-speaking countries. - Latino is associated with the geographical location and refers to a person who
descends from Latin America, which includes countries in Central and South
America, as well as the Caribbean. - In recent years, a newer term known as Latinx emerged, this being an inclusive
alternative to the masculine form as universal. The term Latinx advocates for the
LGBTQ community and has gained traction in activist communities in the U.S.
Common Mental Health Disorders among Latinxs
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD and other stressor-related disorders
- Problematic substance use
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Click here to learn more about the prevalence of mental health conditions in the Latinx
community: How prevalent are mental health conditions in Latinx people?
Cultural Considerations for Hispanic/Latinx Clients
- Cultural concepts of distress – the understanding of cultural concepts of distress
facilitates accurate diagnostic assessment to avoid misdiagnosis. The term “ataque
de nervios” is a cultural concept found in Latinx groups to describe symptoms of
intense emotional upset. Several disorders, including panic disorder, other
specified or unspecified dissociative disorder, and conversion disorder have
symptoms that overlap with “ataque de nervios”. However, some “ataques”
represent normative expressions of acute stress among these groups (e.g., at a
funeral), without clinical sequelae. - Acculturation/assimilation issues – acculturation and assimilation issues may
have a significant impact on the mental well-being and service utilization among
Latinxs. Some factors to consider are separation from their families, stressors to
succeed in the host country, generational conflicts, “cultural shock” after
migration, and a sense of loss, which could lead to posttraumatic stress responses.
Research suggests that a difficult acculturation can negatively impact health. Also,
social determinants (e.g., inequities reproduced by social structures, policies, and
institutions) in addition to the individual-level process, play a role in the adaptation
process. - Familismo – Latinxs maintain a collectivistic perspective and familismo is one
manifestation of this view. In Latin culture, families are composed of nuclear and
extended family members, as well as close friendships. Although familismo could
be a source of strength for most Latinxs, this value could also influence their
decision to seek mental health treatment, since they may prefer to keep problems
within the family. - Religion/spirituality – Christian beliefs, especially Catholicism, play an important
role in the lives of many Latinxs and are known to be a source of strength during
times of distress. Current research has shown that Latinxs prefer to seek help
through religious leaders and other sources of informal care (e.g., family members,
friends, coworkers), rather than formal mental health service providers. They also
tend to adhere more to the standard medical model since they usually relate
somatic concerns to physical health instead of mental health.
Some elements of Latin culture, such as fear of discrimination and bringing shame to their
families, have perpetuated negative attitudes towards mental health treatment, also
known as stigma. This could prevent individuals from seeking help in moments of need. It
is essential for Latinxs to have access to suitable health care services, including culturally
competent mental health treatment.
Supporting Latinx Mental Health
Life can be challenging, and we can go through hard times as part of human nature. Give
yourself the opportunity to get the support you deserve. Schedule your appointment today.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening mental health emergency, please dial 988
because you DO matter.
Idania Hernandez-Gato l PsyD l Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Hernandez-Gato earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Albizu University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed her clinical training in several settings, including a renal care/dialysis facility, community and rural sites, a trauma/sexual abuse specialized program, and the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Program (DBT) at Albizu University.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, she works with individuals experiencing a variety of mental health challenges, including serious mental illness (SMI), mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, personality disorders, and co-occurring mental health disorders. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow with Nowlogy in Cypress, TX.
