Young Latinos and the Mental Health Space

Many older Latinos who are first or second generation immigrants have lived through poverty, oppression, and violence — both in their native countries and here in the United States. They have broken their bodies working in fields and factories and cleaning the homes of the rich. They have endured hatred and bigotry. And through it all, they have provided housing, food, and a college education for us, their children. But now, they are bewildered. They shake their heads. They have labored for so long, attaining riches they never dreamed possible only to find their children unhappy, depressed, anxious, and suicidal.

“17.8% of the U.S. population is estimated to be Latino or Hispanic. Of those, over 15% had a diagnosable mental illness in the past year. That is over 8.9 million people” — Mental Health America

“U.S-born Hispanics report higher rates for most psychiatric disorders than Hispanic immigrants” — American Journal of Psychiatry

The question of what changed between these generations of Latinos would yield far too many answers than can possibly be covered here, and indeed, many of these answers are still unfolding. It seems that every month a new article or a study touches on the alarming rise of depression and anxiety among younger generations, citing the flurry of social and technological developments of the past 30 years. They point to the digital revolution, social media, increasing economic uncertainty, gun violence, the rise of neo-nazis, climate crisis, and an endless string of other changes.

These changes and their impact on our mental well-being, unprecedented in past generations, have created a chasm in communication between older and younger Latinos. A chasm that is costing us our lives.

“Among Hispanic students in grades 9–12 in 2015: 15.7% had made a plan to attempt suicide, 11.3% had attempted suicide” — American Psychiatric Association, Division of Diversity and Health Equity

The practice of openly discussing mental issues is only just emerging. Mental health culture overall is gradually moving towards a more open and accepting space. Within this movement, however, Latinos are falling behind. The cultural stigma attached to anything concerning mental health is a barrier so high and so wide within Latino families that many of us turn away and suffer in silence.

To approach this barrier is to undermine the core of our community which is shaped by 1) traditional values and 2) identity. Among the values upheld within many Latino families are honor and gratitude for the hardships our parents have endured. Admitting to poor mental health can be seen as an affront to their sacrifices and is incongruent with the better life they have provided for us. How can you be anxious when we (older Latinos) have been through far worse? Why are you depressed when you have so much more than we had? We are subsequently thought of as ungrateful and weak, making it almost impossible to pursue any sort of dialogue about our mental wellbeing.

The identity of the Latino immigrant is also at the forefront of stifled discussions about mental health. We are a resilient people, survivors of our colonial oppressors, fighting for a stake in an increasingly hostile country. Concepts like self-care and mental wellness subvert our strong identity, so we make no room for them. There is almost a shared understanding that mental health issues don’t align with our collective imagination of what it means to be Latino. As such, they are relegated to the region of shame and, in turn, non-existence. Our numbers, however, tell a different story.

“Approximately 1 in 10 Hispanics with a mental health disorder use mental health services from a general care provider, while only 1 in 20 receive such services from a mental health specialist” — U.S Office of the Surgeon General

“Suicide attempts for Hispanic girls, grades 9–12, were 50% higher than for White girls in the same age group in 2015”— U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

Fortunately, we are not at a complete standstill. Outside of the traditional familial ambit, younger Latinos are making great strides in their bid for a safe space within mental health culture. Chapters and international organizations are forming in the name of mental health advocacy for Latinos. Look on any social media site, and you’ll be sure to find mental health support groups and communities. More and more Latinos are creating their own platforms for sharing stories of survival and healing, as well as resources for others struggling with mental issues.

This transformative movement towards openness and acceptance is full of potential, and Latinos must continue to join in. This will be the labor of our generation whose struggles have been silenced through cultural barriers and stigmas. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to use this as our point of departure — away from shame and secrecy and towards inclusivity and visibility within the mental health space.

Please find below a few people and resources who are changing the mental wellness landscape for Latinos:

• Trish Barilla, Latina life coach and author of the Instagram book, A Face of Anxiety
• Dior Vargas, Latina feminist and mental health activist, creator of People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project
• Adriana Alejandra Alejandre, Mexican-Guatemalan creator of the podcast, “Latinx Therapy”
• Therapy for Latinx, database for therapists, life coaches, emergency health centers, and community clinics geared towards the Latino community