Mental Health Care for Latinos: A Research Agenda to Improve the Accessibility and Quality of Mental Health Care for Latinos

Abstract

Given the persistent underutilization of mental health services by Latino persons, the mental health research agenda for this population should be shaped by a single practical issue: how to get quality mental health services to Latino consumers and their families. To address this issue, studies are needed that are longitudinal in design, that assess social factors in Latino communities, and that evaluate new and existing interventions. Collaborative investigations that draw on multidisciplinary perspectives and that are informed by multiple stakeholders (service providers, consumers, and policy makers) will increase the likelihood that such research has an impact on existing services. Moreover, careful planning of dissemination and implementation of research findings will enhance the influence that these findings have. A research agenda focused on questions that can be directly translated into accessible high-quality mental health care is needed to address the mental health needs of the nation's growing Latino communities.

Latino Adults’ Access to Mental Health Care: A Review of Epidemiological Studies

“…While this design has some strength, cross-sectional studies prevent us from predicting which factors enable or restrict Latinos in need of care from accessing mental health services. It also makes it difficult to disentangle the social and cultural processes that influence help-seeking behaviors and pathways to services (López, 2002). There is a paucity of longitudinal and prospective access studies in the Latino mental health services literature (López, 2002;Rogler & Cortes, 1993).…”

“…A fundamental question that needs to be addressed is: What are the economic, social, and emotional costs to Latino individuals and families in need of care for underutilizing mental health services and for receiving poor quality mental health care? Understanding the costs that these disparities have to our society can help garner support for more public and private funding to eliminate these inequalities in care (López, 2002).…”

“…We know very little about the quality of treatments provided to Latinos in the current mental health system (López, 2002). An important area of future research is to examine the adequacy of care that Latinos receive in service encounters.…”

“…The aim of this paper is to systematically review the methodologies and findings from these important epidemiological studies in order to add to the agenda for future research and service development. Past reviews of the Latino mental health services literature have been instrumental in directing research and practice with Latinos (e.g., López, 2002;Mezzich, Ruiz, & Muñoz, 1999;Rosados & Elias, 1993;Ruiz 1993;Woodward et al, 1992;Vega & López, 2001). However, a salient limitation of these reviews is that they have not been systematic and have seldom specified the criteria used to choose and evaluate studies.…”

Witnessing Community Violence in Residential Neighborhoods: A Mental Health Hazard for Urban Women

“…25,27 Additionally, low SES Latinas in urban settings may be vulnerable because of a paucity of culturally appropriate primary care resources to support healthy coping. 28,29 Despite these potential vulnerabilities, evidence of an association between community violence exposure and depression is sparse among Latinas. Aisenberg reports a pilot study of 31 Latina mothers in southern California in which 32% witnessed a beating, 3% witnessed a knife attack, and 71% heard gunshots near their homes.…”