INTRODUCTION: In 2020, 18.4% of Hispanics experienced mental illness, yet only about a third received treatment compared with nearly half of non-Hispanic Whites. In Montana, where only 11% of the mental health needs are currently met, service utilization is low. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of the Hispanic immigrant population in a rural state on mental health and professional service utilization. METHODS: Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews in Spanish. Audio recordings were transcribed, translated to English, and analyzed for themes. RESULTS: We recruited a sample of 14 participants from Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela ranging in age from 33 to 59. We identified five themes: definitions of mental health, maintaining mental health, familismo/socialization, stigma, and acculturation stress. DISCUSSION: Novel findings point to the need for Spanish-language services focused on reducing stigma around mental illness and incorporating the importance of social connections.
INTRODUCTION: In 2020, 18.4% of Hispanics experienced mental illness, yet only about a third received treatment compared with nearly half of non-Hispanic Whites. In Montana, where only 11% of the mental health needs are currently met, service utilization is low. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of the Hispanic immigrant population in a rural state on mental health and professional service utilization. METHODS: Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews in Spanish. Audio recordings were transcribed, translated to English, and analyzed for themes. RESULTS: We recruited a sample of 14 participants from Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela ranging in age from 33 to 59. We identified five themes: definitions of mental health, maintaining mental health, familismo/socialization, stigma, and acculturation stress. DISCUSSION: Novel findings point to the need for Spanish-language services focused on reducing stigma around mental illness and incorporating the importance of social connections.
Authors: Michael J Zvolensky; Daniel J Paulus; Jafar Bakhshaie; Monica Garza; Melissa Ochoa-Perez; Angela Medvedeva; Daniel Bogiaizian; Zuzuky Robles; Kara Manning; Norman B Schmidt Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2016-06-18 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Saul G Alamilla; Bradley J Barney; Robert Small; Sherry C Wang; Seth J Schwartz; Roxanne A Donovan; Cooper Lewis Journal: Behav Med Date: 2019-01-07 Impact factor: 3.104
Authors: Joshua Breslau; Matthew Cefalu; Eunice C Wong; M Audrey Burnam; Gerald P Hunter; Karen R Florez; Rebecca L Collins Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2017-05-26 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Cindy C Sangalang; David Becerra; Felicia M Mitchell; Stephanie Lechuga-Peña; Kristina Lopez; Isok Kim Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2019-10