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Mental health

Latino immigrants more resilient, Teenagers at greater risk, Warning signs. 

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'Mexican Americans born in the US have higher rates of depression and phobias compared to Mexican Americans born in Mexico. Those born outside the US have remarkably lower rates of any lifetime mental disorder than those born in the US. The longer you live here is a factor in the development of mental disorders.' 'Puerto Ricans from the island have lower rates of depression than their counterparts in NYC'. These comments were part of the report by the Surgeon General on Mental Health of Hispanic Americans in 2001.

Our young face the greatest risk "Latino youth experience a significant number of mental health problems and in most cases more problems than whites". "Mexican American adolescents reported more depressive symptoms, and had a higher rate of depression than white youth 12% versus 6% for whites". Such were the conclusions of the Surgeon Generals report.

It was found that when comparing youth who live in the United States to those who live in Mexico for example, that young Latinos here report higher rates of depressive symptoms, more illicit drug use, and more suicide ideation than their Mexican counterparts.

It is food for thought given the rising rates of mental illnesses and greater health issues in general faced by Hispanic Americans. Many Latinos have lived in the US for generations and experience similar health problems as do their white or African American counterparts but for the more recent immigrants the issues are somewhat different. As noted by the American Psychiatric Association "under any circumstance immigration can be traumatic".

The APA commented that the difficulties associated with the move to a different country are many and varied. Losing the support of family, loved ones, the community and church can make it very hard to adapt. The added barriers of inequality, poor living conditions, poor nutrition, and lack of access to health care all make the process of acculturation harder.

Added to that, there may be some stigma associated with the need to access a mental health professional. Some may be inclined to dismiss the disorder as something that will pass, or nervousness, tiredness or even just some sort of physical ailment. That is where family and friends can help by being alert to the symptoms of something that is more that just a physical ailment and seeking the appropriate care.

"The identification of what these immigrants do to reduce the likelihood of mental disorders could be of value for all Americans."-Surgeon General.

It is noteworthy the resilience of recent Hispanic immigrants in facing the hardships encountered in a new country. The same report from the Surgeon General noted that many Latinos maintain strong ties with family in their country of origin and this helps provide a point of reference when encountering the pressures in the US. The drive to succeed in order to help families at home rather than for just their own personal benefit is another important factor. This in part helps explain why Latino immigrants fare better when it comes to mental health and health in general than the later generations of US born Latinos.

Another aspect is how families cope when faced with a family member who has a mental illness. Some studies have commented on how Hispanics tend to draw on their spirituality and belief in God to give family members a sense of hope. This along with the warmth of the Latino family and the way mental illness is viewed often helps the sufferer to cope.

Warning signs

Having one or two of these symptoms is not in itself a determinant of mental illness but a combination of many of them is a signal to seek professional help. Some of the warning signs in adults are;

∑ Marked personality changes

∑ Inability to cope with daily activities and problems

∑ Strange or grandiose ideas

∑ Excessive anxieties

∑ Prolonged depression and apathy

∑ Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns

∑ Extreme highs or lows

∑ Abuse of alcohol or drugs

∑ Excessive anger hostility or violent behavior

Some of the warning signs in children are;

∑ Seem overwhelmed by feelings and troubled

∑ Crying a lot

∑ Frequently asking or hinting for help

∑ Constantly preoccupied, worried ,anxious or intense

∑ Fears that are unreasonable and interfere with normal activities

∑ Can't concentrate on school and age appropriate activities

∑ Teachers or administrators have noticed the child's anxiety or aggression

∑ Loss of interest in playing and friends

∑ Difficulty sleeping

In one report commented on by the American Psychiatric Association less than 10% of Hispanics/Latinos seek the services of a mental health specialist. It noted that access to care is the most significant issue. Not having insurance is a barrier but there are options through local state health departments and local Latino community centers that provide links to the services available.

The APA has some excellent links to more information at their web site in Spanish http://www.healthyminds.org/letstalkfactsspan.cfm

Also the National Alliance on Mental Health in Spanish provides many resources and links to local groups.

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=NAMI_en_español 

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