We continue Part II of our conversation with Clara Rosenzweig, Director of Vecino Health Centers, a low cost/no cost mental health provider in Houston, Texas. Vecino Health emphasizes care in a person’s native language and serves a predominantly Latin American population. Clara describes the need for services like the one’s provided by Vecino Health and some of the cultural stigmas that may prevent LatinX individuals from asking for help.  

Some of the obstacles to care for Latin American people may stem from a cultural emphasis on privacy to not air “dirty laundry.” Language can also be a barrier. Additionally, as with many other groups, a fear of being perceived as “crazy” prevents many people from asking for help. Even immigration and refugee status can affect a person’s willingness to ask for mental health services. When people can’t or won’t ask for help, there is an increased chance that a situation may spiral out of control. In terms of suicide prevention, the earlier people are seek care, the better the outcome. For more on why receiving help can be so challenging, check out this week’s blog, “Removing the Road Blocks: Barriers to Mental Health Care.”