Luckily,culturally specific mental health resourcesare increasing, which may benefit some members of the diverse Hispanic community.
Most of my family speaks Spanish and my culture and traditions have been kept at home.
Although I was raised in the U.S., I have always been part of a huge Hispanic family.
The part of acculturation that identifies who I am, where I live, how I look, etc.
is a major struggle for first-generation immigrants.
Hispanics are very strong people.
They continue to move forward no matter what, they are very resilient in bad situations, she says.
The language issue is one that I and my family have struggled with the most.
For others, language may pose a barrier within families.
De La Cruz elucidated how stigma can be a barrier to accessing mental health support within the Hispanic community.
I encourage my community to continue to break the bias against mental health services.
Lets continue to work hard to normalize that its okay to ask for help.
Asking for help will help us thrive and not just survive, she says.
I think my community still needs to break the stigma of mental health illness.
I think my community still needs to break the stigma of mental health illness.
Continuing with education on prevention and sharing more information in general within the communities is still very important.
I have leaned on them for guidance, and they have never failed me as a resource.
Many Hispanics in the community did not take the news as seriously as it should have been taken.
Many people have died in the community due to not being fully informed of the seriousness of this virus.
Many have suffered several losses, leaving the rest of the family with anxiety, fear, and grief.
Ortiz Lugo also expressed concern for her community with respect to the pandemic, especially for those in poverty.
Sadly, my community at present still needs more information about COVID.
I think to cover all bases with my community in person.
Prevention is very important, she says.
Even during times of quarantine during the COVID pandemic, Hispanic families found ways of keeping connected.
What This Means For You
The Hispanic community is diverse, as are their mental health experiences.
Such factors as discrimination, poverty, and mental health stigma may serve as barriers to care.
This community deserves equitable outcomes in this country, regardless of immigration status.
