Mental Health in the Hispanic Community

Posted: June 4, 2024

By: Alexia Cabreras, MS, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S

Mental Health in the Hispanic Community

As a Hispanic myself, I have spent countless years surrounded by friends and family who shy away from talking about their mental health. Growing up in a household where mental health was talked about and therapy was encouraged, it made no sense to me why everyone else couldn't be open-minded like those in my household. As I grew and became a therapist myself, I finally understood why mental health in the Hispanic community is something very few talk about.

Why is Mental Health not talked about?

Mental health in the Hispanic community is complex. Because the community is so large, there is a huge level of diversity, with people who come from various cultures and have different identities. With this being said, beliefs vary. Not many cultures emphasize the importance of prioritizing their mental well-being because it doesn't align with their cultural beliefs. For many Hispanic individuals, mental health issues don't exist. Those who are struggling are oftentimes labeled as "crazy" for their ongoing issues.

Barriers in the Hispanic community

There are many barriers that stop the Hispanic community from being able to have access to mental health resources. Many individuals who come from households or countries where mental health isn't talked about often face hardships seeking resources because they don't exactly know where to go and what to do. Not only is the lack of resources a major barrier for those trying to get help, but there are multiple other hardships that many in the Hispanic community face. This adds to the list of disparities they encounter throughout their mental health journey. Those being:

Language barriers
Lack of transportation
Poverty
Lack of health insurance
Lack of cultural competence from mental health professionals
Stigma and stereotypes

The change we need in the Hispanic community

As we normalize mental health, it is extremely important to emphasize the normality in Hispanic communities. Our generation may not necessarily change everyone's beliefs when it comes to mental health hardships. However talking about our problems, advocating, and educating others, especially those from older and close-minded generations, can be the change we need to help those within our own community and in our own families. If you feel like everything I discussed feels relatable, trust me, you're not alone. Not only is mental health not talked about the way it should be in our community, but in many others as well. If you are someone looking for help, there are options; finding a therapist who understands your background and can work with you can be crucial when it comes to healing and improving your mental health.

Begin Therapy in Katy, TX!

If you are ready to start working on your mental health, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more information
Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists
Find ways to thrive through therapy today!

Other Therapy Services We Offer:

Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men's issues, women's issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!