Mental Health and
The Hispanic Catholic Community
Statement of the
Problem
This study examined how the Hispanic
Catholic
community
in
Laramie
Wyoming approaches mental health
issues. Survey methods and personal
interviews were used to identify the
perceptions of this community in terms
of how they perceive mental illness, the
mental health industry, and their access
to mental health resources. Specifically,
this study examined factors contributing
to discrepancies between needs and
services offered to the Hispanic Catholic
community for mental health issues, as
well as cultural factors that shape
Hispanic attitudes toward mental health.
Jami Jorgensen
with Dr. Sarah Strauss and
Danielle Jensen-Ryan
Mentors
Anthropology Department
Introduction
Culture provides the framework through which human beings interact with and perceive the
world around them. As such culture gives individuals a general guideline for living and
interpreting reality. Furthermore, religious and family influences, as constructs of culture, mediate
the mental health perceptions and approaches from an individual’s standpoint.
Researchers have only a limited understanding of the workings of variables like ethnic identity
and parental ethnic affiliation. Despite the obvious connection between culture and mental health,
practitioners ignore culture, and in many cases minorities go without access to mental health
services.
What’s Missing?
Who’s Missing?
According to SAMHSA, in the National
Survey on Drug Use and Health, ten reasons
are listed for not receiving mental health
services. These include cost, perceived need,
not knowing where to go, time constraints,
fear of repercussion, confidentiality concerns,
insurance
non-coverage,
stigma,
and
perceived efficacy. None of these address
cultural concerns.
According to the 2000 U. S. Census, Hispanic
populations account for 12% of the U. S.
population, which equates to over 32 million
people. At that time, Hispanics were the
fastest growing minority group in the United
States.
Hypothesis
This study hypothesized that proficiency
in English and self-identification within
the Hispanic subcultures are correlated
with perceptions of access to mental
health services and the perceived efficacy
of these services. We also expect that
participants prefer cultural mechanisms
to clinical services.
Methods
Importance of the Study
This information could be used to
develop mental health services that meet
Hispanic needs and to elaborate methods
for identifying barriers to access of
mental health services for other
populations.
Quantitative Approach
Qualitative Approach
• Bilingual Parallel Survey
• Correlations
• Language
• Location and Transportation
• Self-Identification
• Cultural vs. Clinical
• Semi-Structured Interviews
Quantitative Approach
• Cultural Preference
• Need for More Data
• Need to Build Rapport
• Observation
• Themes
• Direct Perspectives
Analysis
Qualitative Approach
• Reluctance
• Stigma
• Distrust
Acknowledgements
· Dr. Sarah Strauss · Susan Stoddard ·
· Zackie Salmon · McNair Program ·
· Danielle Jensen-Ryan · Dee Garcia ·
· St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church
· MEChA ·