LATINOS NOT ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Latinos in Orange County make up 52% of the adult population between the ages of 26-59, but comprise only 21% of county mental health clients. The penetration rate for Latinos is only 2%, meaning that only 2% of the Latino population seeks mental health services.  The penetration rate of Caucasians is 8%.
One of the reasons Latinos do not seek treatment is because of the stigma that mental illness has in the community. Another is that mental health outreach in this community has been minimal and services have not been culturally and linguistically sensitive.
A new and innovative approach has been implemented. A play in Spanish, DE SABIOS Y LOCOS, TODOS TENEMOS UN POCO, written by Dr. Ana Nogales, psychologist, is a forward step in the right direction. The play intends on raising the awareness of mental health issues within the Latino community, while simultaneously reducing the mental health stigma associated with accessing mental health services in Orange County. The use of culturally consistent methods to reach out to the Latino community brings issues that are taboo into the forefront, making them familiar, while encouraging dialogue. This play shows the drama of a Latino family in a culturally sensitive and responsive manner. The goal is to encourage early detection and intervention in mental health issues. It is estimated that this new and innovative approach will reach those communities that have historically been inaccessible.