Diversity & Mental Health
When facing issues associated with mental health, minorities often experience increased barriers when seeking proper treatment and care. Many parts of the healthcare system are organized in a way that can be disadvantageous to minority groups seeking the proper treatment for mental health disorders.
Studies have indicated that minority groups–African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans–within the United States experience a higher frequency of mental illness when compared with the non-Hispanic white demographic. However, a much less percentage of minorities either seek out mental health recovery or receive quality care.
At Retreat Behavioral Health, our facility is staffed by professionals who are fluent in other languages and understand cultural differences in minority groups as they pertain towards the healthcare system.
Hispanic Mental Health
According to a report by the U.S. General Surgeon, nearly 20% of Hispanics refuse to talk about their mental illnesses with their primary care physician. The same report also identified as little as 10% of Hispanics actively seek out treatment from a mental healthcare provider.
Mental health illness is greatly stigmatized among the Hispanic population, and lack of awareness often leads to an under diagnosis from medical professionals or belief in a socially-cultivated idea that many depressive disorders are simply a form of “nervousness”.
At Retreat, we implement various guidelines that help our staff overcome barriers that often discourage Hispanic individuals from seeking the help they need.
Spanish-speaking staff: One of the most common factors in preventing Hispanics from seeking treatment is the language barrier. We have on-site professionals who are fluent in the Spanish language and understand the cultural norms or bias that occur in the Hispanic community.
Family Involvement: Hispanics and Latinos have both an extensive and strong family network. We like to encourage the participation of family members in the recovery or treatment process to help them better understand the disease and offer support for their loved one in the future.
Mental Illness Education: A general lack of awareness and understanding fuel the stigma attached to the perception of mental disorders. Our staff does their best to explain and elaborate about the way these disorders affect individuals and why they may be occurring. This can help family and friends view mental illness differently.
Call (855) 859-8808 for direct assistance