Church outreach to Latino/a immigrants in Missouri and their mental health issues

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Latino immigrants have steadily moved into new rural areas of the Midwestern United States. This has involved adapting to a new community context, new cultures and different local traditions, new races of people, and the mental and emotional effects of dealing with this newness and their potentially adverse effects. Research shows that while Latino immigrants have had fewer issues with psychological problems in their country of origin, once in the U.S. they begin to have higher rates of onset of psychological disorders. A significant amount of findings state that Latinos are less apt to acquire mental health counseling than other parts of the U.S. population, and this decreased likelihood is more pronounced when they are less acculturated or are new immigrants. Negative views of Latinos toward mental illness and psychological services inhibits their desire to seek help. For poorer Latinos who do receive mental health care, there is higher probability that they will end treatment too soon. Depression has been viewed as a personal problem not related to health. Yet, among elderly Latino/as, the demand for mental health care has existed, especially for those dealing with depression.