Minority Women's Health

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Mental Health

Minority Women's Health > Hispanic Americans/Latinas > Health Topics > Mental Health

• Resources in English
• Recursos en español

Hispanic/Latina and white women suffer from many of the same mental health disorders, including depression. In fact, depression is a major concern for Hispanic/Latina women.

Depression is an illness that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. People who are depressed may feel hopeless, worthless, very sad, and have no energy or interest in doing anything. Some people describe depression as an "empty, or sad feeling that won't go away." This kind of depression that does not go away is called clinical depression or major depression. It is different from feeling "blue" or down for a few hours or a couple of days.

Many things cause depression. Depression can run in families. Changes in your brain chemistry and living through painful and difficult events in your life can trigger depression. Sometimes depression is caused by medicines people take for cancer, arthritis, heart problems, and high blood pressure. Some illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and hormonal problems can cause depression. Most people with depression get better when they get treatment. The two most common treatments for depression are medication and psychotherapy (talking with a trained counselor). Support groups can help as well. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. Get a check-up to see if there are physical problems or medicines that are causing your depression.

Hispanics/Latinos are less likely than whites to receive needed mental health services. In fact, 1 out of 15 Hispanics who suffer from depression is not able to get medical help.  Some reasons for this may include language and cultural barriers, lack of health insurance or lack of money to pay for services. When they do seek help, Hispanics/Latinos are more likely to go to a general health care provider or clergy member than a mental health professional.

Mental health disorders are real and serious illnesses that can be treated. If you think you have a mental illness, talk to your doctor or a trusted family member or friend who can help you find treatment. You are not alone. If you or someone you know feels suicidal, call 911, 1-800-SUICIDE, or the number of a suicide crisis center (you can find the number in your phone book) to talk about it.

Resources in English

Publications

1.   Housing Options for People with Mental Illness - This publication provides information on where people suffering from severe mental illness can get help with finding housing.

   http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0048/default.asp

2.   How to Pay For Mental Health Services - The cost of mental health services is a financial challenge for just about everyone. This fact sheet discusses ways to pay for care and suggests resources for people who need more information.

   http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/ken98-0050/default.asp

3.   Mental Health Services Locator - This internet site can help you locate mental health treatment facilities and support services in your state.

   http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/default.asp

4. Facts about Stigma and Mental Illness in Diverse Communities (Copyright © NAMI) - This publication explains what stigma is, what it has to do with mental illness, and how it affects minorities. It also gives steps you can take to prevent the stigma of mental illness.

   http://www.nami.org/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm?ContentFileID=5148

5.   Latino Community Mental Health Facts (Copyright © NAMI) - This fact sheet provides information on the rates of mental illness in the Latino community and the barriers that they face in getting treatment.

   http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/MIO/Fact_Sheets1/Latino_MH_Disparities_2003.pdf...

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
2.   National Mental Health Information Center, SAMHSA, HHS
3.   Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center), SAMHSA, HHS
4. National Alliance on Mental Illness

= Indicates Federal Resources

Recursos en español

Publicaciones

1.     La buena salud mental no tiene edad - El tener buena salud mental no significa que usted nunca se sentirá triste, solo o abatido. Pero cuando estos sentimientos permanecen en su ser por mucho tiempo, puede ser que haya un problema más grande. Esta publicación contiene algunas cosas que usted puede hacer si tiene depresión.

   http://kap.samhsa.gov/mli/docs/spanish/AgingMH-Spanish.pdf

2.   Localizador de servicios para la salud mental - Este sitio de web le ayudará a encontrar un centro de tratamiento de trastornos mentales en su area.

   http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/default.asp

3.   Material en español (Salud Mental) - Esta página contiene un listado de publicaciones disponibles del Instituto Nacional sobre la Salud Mental. Estas publicaciones ofrecen un compendio de información acerca de salud mental y trastornos mentales, escrita en un lenguaje sencillo y accesible.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/index-publication-all-es.shtml...

4.   Trastorno de estrés postraumático, una enfermedad real - Un folleto, el cuál es fácil de leer, que explica qué es el trastorno de estrés postraumático, cúando comienza, cuánto tiempo dura, y cómo conseguir ayuda -- incluye una autoprueba.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/trastorno-de-estrs-postraumtico-una-enfermedad-real/sum...

5.   Cobertura de Medicare para recetas médicas (Copyright © MHA) - Este manual es para ayudarlo a usted, como consumidor de servicios de salud mental, a "educarse" sobre e "inscribirse" en el nuevo programa de medicamentos de venta con receta de Medicare. Por primera vez, este programa ayudará a las personas con Medicare a conseguir medicamentos.

   http://www1.nmha.org/federal/MedicareConsumerWorkbookEspanol.pdf

6. Entienda su plan médico de salud mental (Copyright © AACAP) - Esta publicación le presenta algunas preguntas útiles que usted debe hacer para evaluar los beneficios de salud mental de su plan de seguro médico o de su sistema de salud integral ("HMO").

   http://www.aacap.org/page.ww?section=Informacion+para+la+Familia&name=Entienda+su+Plan+Medico+de+Salud+...

7. Género y salud mental de las mujeres (Copyright © WHO) - Esta hoja discute cómo y por qué el género determina de manera fundamental la salud mental y las enfermedades mentales en las mujeres.

   http://www.un.org/spanish/Depts/dpi/boletin/mujer/genderwomen.html

8. Problemas emocionales - Esta publicación contiene datos acerca los trastornos emocionales y sus implicaciones en la educación del niño.

   http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/spanish/fs5stxt.htm

Organizaciones

1.   National Institute of Mental Health en español
2.   National Mental Health Information Center en español
3. Alzheimer's Association en español
4. La Alianza Nacional de Enfermedades Mentales
5. Mental Health America en español

= Recurso Federal

Current as of December 2007