22.Mental Health
v Latinos/Hispanic AmericansThe Hispanic/Latino American population is characterized by its rapid growth. Approximately 35.3 million people now self-identify as Hispanic Americans. The number is expected to increase to 97 million by 2050 nearly one-fourth of the U.S. population. Mexican Americans comprise almost two-thirds of Hispanic Americans, with the remainder being of Puerto Rican, Cuban, South American, Central American, Dominican, and Spanish origin. Latinos are highly concentrated in the U.S. Southwest. 60% live in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas. However, from 1990 to 2000, the number of Latinos more than doubled in Arkansas (170%), North Carolina (129%), Georgia (120%), Nebraska (108%), and Tennessee (105%). Overall, only 56% of Latinos 25 years-of-age and over have graduated from high school, compared to 83% of the total U.S. population. However, academic achievement varies considerably among Hispanic subgroups. 70% of Cuban Americans, 64% of Puerto Ricans, and 50% of Mexican Americans 25 years-of-age and over have graduated from high school. The economic status of Hispanic Americans parallels their educational status. The poverty rates are 14% respectively for Cuban Americans, 31% for Puerto Ricans, and 27% for Mexican Americans, compared to 13.5% of all Americans. Refugees. Many refugees from Central America experienced considerable civil war-related trauma in their homelands. Studies have found rates of post-traumatic stress disorder among Central America refugee patients ranging from 33 to 60%. Individuals with Alcohol and Drug Problems. In general, Hispanic Americans have rates of alcohol use similar to non-Hispanic whites. However, Hispanic women/Latinas have unusually low rates of alcohol and other drug use, while Latino men have relatively high rates. Rates of substance abuse are higher among U.S._born Mexican Americans compared to Mexican-born immigrants. Specifically, substance abuse rates are twice as high for U.S._born Mexican American men than for Mexican-born men, but seven times higher for U.S.-born Mexican American women than for Mexican-born women. Availability of Mental Health ServicesIn 1990, about 40% of Hispanics either did not speak English at all or did not speak it well. While the percentage of Spanish-speaking mental health professionals is not known, only about 1% of licensed psychologists who are also members of the American Psychological Association identify themselves as Hispanic. Moreover, there are only 29 Hispanic mental health professionals for every 100,000 Hispanics in the United States, compared to 173 non-Hispanic white providers per 100,000. Access to Mental Health ServicesNationally, 37 percent of Hispanics are uninsured, compared to 16% for all
Americans. This high number is driven mostly by Hispanics' lack of employer-based coverage
only 43% compared to 73% for non-Hispanic whites. Medicaid and other public
coverage reaches 18% of Hispanics. Among Hispanic Americans with a mental disorder, fewer than 1 in 11 contact
mental health specialists, while fewer than 1 in 5 contact general health care providers.
Among Hispanic immigrants with mental disorders, fewer than 1 in 20 use services from
mental health specialists, while fewer than 1 in 10 use services from general health
care providers. Culturally Specific Mental Health Resourcesn Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals n Centros Para el Control y la Prevencion de Enfermedades n Hispanic Federation n Hispanic Health Council n National Alliance for Hispanic Health n National Hispanic Medical Association n National Latina Health Network n National Latina Health Organization
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