Minority Women's Health

E-mail this page to a friend

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.   Mental Health Services Locator — This Internet site will help you locate mental health treatment facilities and support services in your state.

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

2.   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Brochure: When It Seems Like There Is No Hope, There Is Help — This brochure explains the warning signs of suicide and how to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help.

   http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0141/

3.   If You Are Considering Suicide (Copyright © American Association of Suicidology) — If you are feeling suicidal, it’s important to seek medical help right away. You are not alone. Many people have suicidal thoughts. But it’s important that depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other problems that inspire suicidal thinking are treatable. A suicidal crisis is usually temporary. Your problems do have solutions — you just can’t see them right now. This publication will tell you more about the help and hope available for people considering suicide.

   http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-32.pdf...

4.   Latino Community Mental Health Facts (Copyright © National Alliance on Mental Illness) — This fact sheet provides information on the rates of mental illness in the Latino community and the barriers that Latinas and Latinos may 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.   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
4.   Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center), SAMHSA, HHS
5. American Association of Suicidology
6. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
7. 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 área.

   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/espanol/spanish-listing.shtml

4.   Trastorno de estrés postraumático — 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/espanol/trastornos-de-ansiedad/trastorno-de-estrs-postraum-tico...

5. Entienda su plan médico de salud mental (Copyright © American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) — 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+...

6. Género y salud mental de las mujeres (Copyright © World Health Organization) — 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

7.   Problemas emocionales (Copyright © National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities) — Esta publicación contiene datos acerca los trastornos emocionales y sus implicaciones en la educación del niño.

   http://www.nichcy.org/Documents/Spanish%20pubs/FS5SP.pdf

Organizaciones

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

= Recurso Federal

Resources reviewed March 2008.