Mental Health for Hispanic and Latino/a Students

According to Mental Health America (MHA), more than 10 million Latinos/as across the country reported having a mental health condition in 2017. That amounts to 16% of the Latino/a population. For comparison, 17% of all U.S. adults have a mental health condition, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

A national survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows instances of serious mental health disorders rising within the Hispanic 18-49 age group. However, only 34% of Latino/a adults receive treatment, compared to the 45% national average.

Hispanic mental health conditions stem from the same stressors the general population faces. However, they also have additional contributing cultural and societal factors, such as contemporary and intergenerational trauma from immigration, acculturation, and racism. Economic Inequalities factor in as well. Like other groups, Latinos/as living in poverty report psychological distress at higher levels than those living over twice the poverty level, according to the Office of Minority Health.

While many schools support mental health in college students, some don’t. In addition, these services are not one-size-fits-all. There is a significant need for specialized Latino/a mental health services, including culturally and linguistically appropriate programs. In an effort to increase visibility and access to specialized support channels, this guide highlights the mental health services and resources available to students.

Colleges can provide mental health support by offering access to support networks, centers, programs, and learning resources. Students can speak with in-person and teletherapists, find resources in libraries and counseling centers, and participate in support group discussions and health and wellness programs.

Schools have introduced mental health hotlines and websites, along with emergency response support channels for immediate help. Institutions may also provide mental health workshops for educators and staff, give students access to mental health screening tools, and run speaker series, seminars, and contact-based education.

Schools support mental health in college students indirectly as well, such as by increasing mental awareness and reducing mental health stigma on campus. They achieve this by empowering students through mental health literacy and by endorsing student voices.

You might be able to find your school’s mental health resources by asking for the mental health office, mental health clinic, or a mental health services building. Consider asking a dorm leader, professor, or college advisor for help finding these campus mental health resources at your school.

For Latino/a mental health specifically, many schools also form community partnerships and run outreach programs.

The disparity of access to mental health treatment among the Latino/a population compared to the national average highlights an unmet need. Latinos/as face a number of barriers that obstruct their access to mental health services. According to the American Heart Association, Latinos/as fear they will face discrimination for seeking help, possibly feeling more othered both inside and outside their community.

These fears are valid. According to the American Psychological Association, racial and ethnic minorities with serious mental illness experience higher rates of involuntary hospitalizations, over-diagnosis of schizophrenia, and higher antipsychotic medication dosages. The historical mistreatment of people of color has also contributed to a mistrust of American medicine for many Latino/a people.

When seeking help, the Latino/a population encounters language and cultural barriers from the predominantly white mental health field. This can lead to miscommunications and misdiagnoses. Having to communicate in English adds discomfort to an already unsettling situation, and a lack of familiarity with culture-bound syndromes among mental health professionals might cause misunderstandings.

Many Latino/a communities attach stigma to mental illness and treatment as well. Older Latinos/as may feel shame and embarrassment about mental illness, which prevents them from seeking help. Some Latino/a families deny the validity of mental illness, assigning it a religious meaning instead.

Latino/a mental health services also often face financial and legal barriers restricting access. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos/as live in poverty at twice the rate of white people and lack medical insurance at nearly three times the rate of white people, as of 2019. For undocumented Latino/a immigrants and their family members, an additional obstacle is the fear of deportation.

Choosing the appropriate support channel can often be essential for positive Latino/a mental health outcomes. It can help to know what type of care you might need. This process starts by trying to understand what you are feeling. Finding a mental health professional from a similar ethnic background or who speaks the same native language might ease the transition.

You may wish to search for Latino/a or Hispanic mental health providers or look for professionals who work in Latino/a communities. Think about location, as travel time and expenses can become an obstacle over time. You should also consider cost and insurance coverage. Your insurance may only cover specific mental health services.

Some insurers go through the referral system from a primary care doctor. While you should do all the necessary preparation and research, you may need to speak to a few different professionals to find the most compatible option. If you experience a mental health crisis without the support of a professional, you can use mental health coping strategies or contact an emergency response line.

Sometimes, individuals within certain communities, including some of the Latino/a and Hispanic ones, perceive mental health issues with various levels and forms of hesitancy. There is a history of mistreatment of people of color in American medicine that gives the need for mental health support a negative reputation. Furthermore, Latinos/as often face discrimination, and the fear of adding to that can dissuade individuals from disclosing mental illness.

There may also be religious and cultural reasons why the Latino/a community may seek mental health support at lower rates than the national average. Mental illness may bring about feelings of embarrassment in some. Others simply do not believe in the medical causes and effects of mental illness.

According to a 2018 American College Health Association (ACHA) survey, the top mental health challenges for students included anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and attention deficit disorders. Other common mental health disorders in college students include obsessive-compulsive disorders, bipolar disorders, eating disorders, and addiction.

In the ACHA survey, more than 62% of respondents felt overwhelming anxiety in the previous 12 months. Over 41% of respondents were so depressed they found it hard to function. Furthermore, over 11% of respondents reported seriously considering suicide within the previous 12 months. If you or someone you know needs it, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HELLO to Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Mental health issues can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including their social relationships. Mental illness can lead to isolation, which breaks down bonds with family and friends and disrupts employment. This can distance the individual from the very people and functions that may be able to help them. Mental illness can also lead to behavioral issues, loneliness, and substance abuse.

Many social relationships come with health benefits as well, so mental health-induced isolation can have a negative compounding effect. Students should also be aware of how social media influences mental health perceptions. Manicured social profiles can mask mental health issues in the general public and cause social media users with mental illness to feel more alone and isolated.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should consult with their physician to obtain advice with respect to any medical condition or treatment.