Mental Health and The Hispanic Catholic Community

Jami Jorgensenwith Dr. Sarah Strauss and

Danielle Jensen-RyanMentors

Anthropology Department

Statement of the Statement of the ProblemProblem

This study examined how the Hispanic This study examined how the Hispanic Catholic community in Laramie Catholic community in Laramie Wyoming approaches mental health Wyoming approaches mental health issues. Survey methods and personal issues. Survey methods and personal interviews were used to identify the interviews were used to identify the perceptions of this community in terms perceptions of this community in terms of how they perceive mental illness, the of how they perceive mental illness, the mental health industry, and their access mental health industry, and their access to mental health resources. Specifically, to mental health resources. Specifically, this study examined factors contributing this study examined factors contributing to discrepancies between needs and to discrepancies between needs and services offered to the Hispanic Catholic services offered to the Hispanic Catholic community for mental health issues, as community for mental health issues, as well as cultural factors that shape well as cultural factors that shape Hispanic attitudes toward mental health. Hispanic attitudes toward mental health.

HypothesisHypothesisThis study hypothesized that proficiency This study hypothesized that proficiency in English and self-identification within in English and self-identification within the Hispanic subcultures are correlated the Hispanic subcultures are correlated with perceptions of access to mental with perceptions of access to mental health services and the perceived health services and the perceived efficacy of these services. We also efficacy of these services. We also expect that participants prefer cultural expect that participants prefer cultural mechanisms to clinical services.mechanisms to clinical services.

Culture provides the framework through which human beings interact with and perceive the Culture provides the framework through which human beings interact with and perceive the world around them. As such culture gives individuals a general guideline for living and world around them. As such culture gives individuals a general guideline for living and interpreting reality. Furthermore, religious and family influences, as constructs of culture, interpreting reality. Furthermore, religious and family influences, as constructs of culture, mediate the mental health perceptions and approaches from an individual’s standpoint.mediate the mental health perceptions and approaches from an individual’s standpoint.

Researchers have only a limited understanding of the workings of variables like ethnic identity Researchers have only a limited understanding of the workings of variables like ethnic identity and parental ethnic affiliation. Despite the obvious connection between culture and mental health, and parental ethnic affiliation. Despite the obvious connection between culture and mental health, practitioners ignore culture, and in many cases minorities go without access to mental health practitioners ignore culture, and in many cases minorities go without access to mental health services.services.

IntroductionIntroduction

Importance of the Study

This information could be used to This information could be used to develop mental health services that meet develop mental health services that meet Hispanic needs and to elaborate methods Hispanic needs and to elaborate methods for identifying barriers to access of for identifying barriers to access of mental health services for other mental health services for other populations. populations.

Methods

Quantitative Approach Qualitative Approach• Bilingual Parallel SurveyBilingual Parallel Survey• CorrelationsCorrelations

• LanguageLanguage• Location and TransportationLocation and Transportation• Self-IdentificationSelf-Identification

• Cultural vs. ClinicalCultural vs. Clinical

• Semi-Structured InterviewsSemi-Structured Interviews

• ObservationObservation• ThemesThemes

• Direct PerspectivesDirect Perspectives

Analysis

• Cultural PreferenceCultural Preference• Need for More DataNeed for More Data• Need to Build RapportNeed to Build Rapport

• ReluctanceReluctance• StigmaStigma

• DistrustDistrust

Quantitative Approach Qualitative Approach

· Dr. Sarah Strauss · Susan Stoddard · · Zackie Salmon · McNair Program ·· Danielle Jensen-Ryan · Dee Garcia ·

· St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church· MEChA ·

Acknowledgements

According to SAMHSA, in the National According to SAMHSA, in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, ten reasons Survey on Drug Use and Health, ten reasons are listed for not receiving mental health are listed for not receiving mental health services. These include cost, perceived need, services. These include cost, perceived need, not knowing where to go, time constraints, not knowing where to go, time constraints, fear of repercussion, confidentiality concerns, fear of repercussion, confidentiality concerns, insurance non-coverage, stigma, and insurance non-coverage, stigma, and perceived efficacy. None of these address perceived efficacy. None of these address cultural concerns.cultural concerns.

What’s Missing? Who’s Missing?According to the 2000 U. S. Census, Hispanic According to the 2000 U. S. Census, Hispanic populations account for 12% of the U. S. populations account for 12% of the U. S. population, which equates to over 32 million population, which equates to over 32 million people. At that time, Hispanics were the people. At that time, Hispanics were the fastest growing minority group in the United fastest growing minority group in the United States.States.