Senior Capstone C/O 2018

4-12-18

Latinos and Mental Health: An Autoethnography

Karla B. Esquivel
Los Angeles Leadership Academy HS, kesquivel100347@laleadership.org
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Senior Capstone C/O 2018

Latinos and Mental Health: An Autoethnography

Abstract
In this abstract, the author analyzes the factors that explain why the growing number of

Latinos reported with a mental illness is increasing. The author determines three main factors

that cause depression in Latinos. Through extensive research, this autoethnography analyzes and

explains thoroughly the factors that increase depression in the Latino community.

Keywords

Latinos, depression, increase, factors

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LATINOS AND MENTAL HEALTH: AN

AUTOETHNOGRAPHY

Karla B. Esquivel
Los Angeles Leadership Academy HS, Los Angeles California

In this abstract, the author analyzes the factors that explain why the growing number of Latinos

reported with a mental illness is increasing. The author determines three main factors that cause

depression in Latinos. Through extensive research, this autoethnography analyzes and explains

thoroughly the factors that increase depression in the Latino community.

The Incident
The skyscrapers and small business establishments blurred along with the street lights as

we drove through the streets of Anaheim. My mother had found this program for troubled teens

called Ala-Teen with the help of her friend, Ana. Ana and my mother were seated in the front

while I sat in the backseat with my 10 year old sister in Ana’s new 2016 Honda. My sister was

playing a game on her old LG phone. With my earphones on and no music playing, I

eavesdropped on my mom and Ana’s conversation.

“It's for the best…” my mom said to Ana. I rolled my eyes thinking my mom didn’t know

anything. However, it was the other way around in which my mother was the one with all the
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answer to my problems, and I was the inexperienced, immature child. Because of my distrust of

others, it was hard for me to accept my mother’s help. We made it to an old, Catholic church,

which was surrounded by an enormous garden filled with roses and flowers of different colors. It

was like a small piece of Eden God had granted this church. The beautiful garden didn’t feel like

Eden; it was more like the entrance to my worst nightmare. Ana drove to the back where the

parking lot was located and parked near the back entrance. There was a small gate that separated

the parking lot with the beautiful garden which was conveniently open already. We got out of the

car, making sure all doors and windows were closed properly, walked through the garden

admiring how it seemed almost magical with the chirping of crickets and the street lamps

illuminating them. Ana mentioned to me earlier that I would be going to a different room from

her, my mom and my younger sister. The room would consist of other kids like me talking or

venting about what is troubling them. I didn't want to go to this group meeting. I wanted to go

home, lay in bed, and pray the earth swallowed me whole.

A group of kids around my age were all gathered in a bunch near two benches. I was told

to wait until the supervisors escorted us where we needed to go. I remember complaining to my

mom that it was too cold for me to stay outside in the cold with people I didn't know. My mom

ignored my complaints and walked inside the church with Ana and my sister. It was not long

after a man and a woman both came outside to escort us to the basement of the church. The

basement was bare with the exception of a couple chairs, and a white table filled with snacks. As

soon as everyone was seated, the meeting began. We were asked to introduce ourselves and

explain why we came. One by one the kids spoke and talked about their problems while others

listened and occasionally commented on it. There was a girl who sat next to me at the back of the

room that seemed to be as bored as I was. We joked and laughed until it was her turn to speak. I
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don’t remember the reason why she came, but I still remember the confidence in her voice as she

spoke. She didn't even stutter one bit during her introduction until she got to the part where she

had to explain why she was here. That's when I noticed her stumbling on her words, her hands

shaking and her voice cracking as she spoke. She couldn't finish speaking because she finally

broke down into tears. I tried my best to comfort her until it was my turn to speak. Unlike the

girl, I wasn't as confident or loud as her. Instead I kept to myself and never spoke too loud or too

much. With an uncontrollable shaky leg, sweaty palms I had to wipe every five seconds, and a

shaky voice; I introduced myself as best as I could. Panic began to creep up behind me as the

man asked me questions to help me talk more. I felt it's cold, evil presence right behind me when

I stuttered out an answer. I tried to stay under control but I couldn't any longer. my hands shook

like rattles, my breathing quickened, and I felt a lump in my throat.

“What's wrong with me?” I thought. “I'm going to die, I'm going to die, oh my god!”

I felt this wave of helplessness come over me as I felt tears stream down my face. I was too

embarrassed for having a panic attack in the middle of the meeting I wanted to just bury myself

alive. I don't remember much about what happened after the panic attack only that the girl sitting

next to me tried to comfort me just like how I did for her.The meeting dragged on for another

thirty minutes until We were all allowed to leave with a couple of snacks. we all went back to the

garden to wait for our parents to come out of the church. Not long after parents and other adults

began coming out with bread such as conchas, bolillos, and cinnamon rolls and coffee in their

hands. I found my mom in the crowd of parents and kids. She asked me how the meeting went as

we walked back to Ana’s car. I lied to her and said it went well. I didn't want her to worry more

about me more than she already did. I can't be another burden on her shoulders for her to carry,

so I did what I do best - I kept my mouth shut.

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During the car ride, I couldn't stop thinking about the girl who tried to comfort me during

my panic attack. It surprised me she tried to comfort me after she had a breakdown in front of the

other kids. It had been so long since I had anyone try to comfort me and ask me how I really felt

I didn't know how to react in that moment. That feeling was almost foreign to me it scared me

the moment someone else tried to show genuine concern towards me. I compared the girls

attempt to comfort me to the help my mother help offered me and that's when it hit me. My mom

only wanted to help me because she cares and not because she's legally responsible for me. She's

all I have apart from my sister who will help me through anything. Instead of receiving her help,

I pushed it away as if it was something insignificant. I know she'll stop trying to help me and

give up on me at some point, so I have to take advantage of this moment and talk to my mom

without hiding anything from her. In that moment, I decided it was time for me to take control of

my life and ask for help, even if it took me time to do so. I was not going to cry and hope my

problems fade away. I wanted to do all that I could to change my attitude and my entire being

from someone weak to someone strong and confident - someone who is able to say “I can do it"

despite the circumstances. I was not going to let my depression blind me from seeing all the great

things I already had, like my mother's support, a home, food, clothes and more.

Once we were back home, I sat on the black leather couch near the stairs to the second

floor, and carefully thought of the right words to tell my mom.

“Ma, I need to tell you something…”

Analysis

Introduction

Univision released an article on their official website on June 24, 2016 titled, “Latina
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teens have highest rate of suicide attempts in the U.S.” by Jessica Welss. In it, Welss tells the

story of a young Mexican American teen named, Erika Sánchez who began having suicidal

thoughts at the age of 13. Welss proceeds to mention that Sánchez grew up in a Mexican

household in Chicago. She was always melancholic, but as she hit puberty, “she became

hopeless” (Welss, 2016, p. 1). Erika’s friends and family didn’t know she constantly cried and

cut herself. “When Sánchez was hospitalized at age 15, her parents finally realized it wasn’t just

"normal" sadness that plagued their daughter -- it was mental illness” (2016). After that incident,

Erika mentions her parents finally began to really see her (2016). Sánchez became part of a

growing statistic of Latina teens attempting suicide.

Study of Focus

What is depression? According

to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary,

depression is “a mood disorder marked

especially by sadness, inactivity,

difficulty in thinking and concentration,

a significant increase or decrease in

appetite and time spent sleeping,

feelings of dejection and hopelessness,

and sometimes suicidal tendencies”

(Merriam-Webster Co., 2018). Depression can affect anyone regardless of gender, social status,

race, etc.According to Welss’ article, “Latina teens currently have the highest rate of suicide

attempts among all adolescent groups in the U.S.” (Welss, 2015, # 4). Welss continues to add in

her article, “According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2015 youth high-risk
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behavior survey released earlier this month, 15 percent of Latina adolescents in the U.S. have

attempted suicide” (Welss, et al., 2015, #4). Compared to white and black teen girls, who were

reported with a 9.8% and 10.2% rate, nearly 26% of Latina teens have considered suicide (Welss,

2015, #5). Kristin Y Walstad writes in her analysis, “The latino population in the U.S. is a rapidly

growing demographic, including over 15 million individuals as of the 2010 Census (U.S. Census

bureau, 2010). Symptom distress and mental illness are prevalent among Latinos” (Walstad et al.,

2015 #13). There is a stigma that Latinos do not care about depression; however, as the National

Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) puts it, “many Latinos do not seek treatment because they

don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions or know where to find help”

(Nami, p. 9). NAMI continues to add on that there is a chance of 1 in 5 Latinos are affected by a

mental illness (NAMI, p. 10). However depression isn’t the only mental illness that affect the

Latino community. NAMI mentions generalized anxiety disorder, major depression,

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism (NAMI, p. 5). Unfortunately, these mental

illnesses are being ignored because of the lack of access to treatment or quality of treatment

(NAMI, p. 6). From examining the social, racial and economic discrimination of Latinos, it is

clear that discrimination is a rising factor increasing Latino depression and mental illness.

Claim #1: CULTURAL CONFLICT

American society and its differing cultures increases the levels of stress Latinos face

during their adolescence as they build their identity. Throughout adolescence, Latino teens

experience a level of stress as they build their identity while they live in between two different

cultures: their household environment and the environment they are influenced outside their

household. Adolescence is the time where children turn into young adults and begin to form their

own opinions and ideas through outside influence. According to NYU’s Steinhardt Research
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Team, “Adolescence may be a particularly vulnerable time for discrimination, as forming one’s

cultural, ethnic, and racial identities is central during this developmental period,” (Steinhardt

Research Team, 2015, p. 4). As society begins to root in different ideas in the teen’s mind, the

teen becomes pressured BY what society wants them to be and what their parents expect them to

be as well. Society’s pressure on Latino teens is a factor to an increasing number of Latinos

reported with a mental illness. For example, language barriers can prevent Latinos from

communicating with doctors difficult. NAMI mentions, “many medical professionals today do

speak some medical Spanish, particularly in parts of the country with large Latino populations,

but the may not necessarily understand cultural issues” (NAMI, p. 14). These societal barriers

can affect how a Latino may receive the help they need.

Going in deeper about the culture Latino teens experience in their homes, the differences

of gender roles is a factor for the statistic of Latinos being reported with a mental illness to

increase. According to an article titled, “Depression in Latino Teens" by Yolanda M. Cespedes

and Stanley J. Huey. Jr, “Latina adolescents reported greater differences in traditional gender role

beliefs between themselves and their parents and higher levels of depression” (Cespedes & Huey.

Jr, 2008, #1). The different expectations inputed in boys and girls from a Latino household

causes the relationship between the two genders to be flawed.

In Kristin Y. Walstad’s analysis, Latino Perspectives of Mental Health Recover: A

Grounded Theory Analysis, Walstad (Walstad, 2015, #13) identified the traditional values that are

being incorporated into how Latino men and women are raised. “Machismo” encourages the

suppression of emotion, the illusion of strength and self-reliance and the assumption of taking

over the role of being the household provider and protector of the family as Walstad mentions in

her analysis (Walstad, 2015, #13). Walstad proceeds to talk about the role Latina women have in
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the household. This role is called Mariansimo, which is “a traditional value incorporated into the

rearing latina women that encourages being accommodating, obedient, and centered toward

family. Mariansimo also encourages women to assume the suffering of the family with dignity,

which can often include taking on the role of caretaker for disabled or ill relatives” (2015). These

traditional values continue to be passed onto newer generations increasing the growing number

of Latinos reported with a mental illness. Yolanda M. Cespedes and Stanely J. Huey. Jr claim,

“compared to boys, Latina adolescents reported greater differences in traditional gender role

beliefs between themselves and their parents and higher levels of depression” Cespedes, Huey.

Jr, 2008, p. 4). Children who follow traditions taught in their home are considered well-educated

by their parents and peers. If these traditional values continue to be passed onto newer

generations increasing the growing number of Latinos reported with a mental illness.

Claim #2: RACIAL DISCRIMINATION:

Racial differences between society is another factor that adds to the number of Latinos

reported with a mental illness. In NYU’s Steinhardt Research Team article titled, “Mental Health

Issues in Latino Teens Are Rooted in Discrimination-Related Stress, Finds Study by Steinhardt

Research Team”, they mention, “Sirin and his colleagues surveyed 173 Latino teens in New York

City high schools during the teens’ 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years. Both foreign-born (first-

generation) immigrants and U.S.-born (second-generation) immigrants were included. Each year,

the survey measured the level of stress the teens experienced related to discrimination, as well as

three aspects of their mental health: anxiety, depression, and issues with sleep” (NYU

Steinhardt , 2015) . Living in a foreign country where the language, values, morals and culture is

completely different from what an individual is used to, creates a wall of differences that causes

others to assume and judge the individual.

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As differences in culture are more prominent in foreign born immigrants, they are more

likely to face discrimination and suffer from depression. In an article titled “Mental Health

Research: Latino Community and School Issues” by Amelie Ramirez, Ramirez mentions a cross-

sectional study made by the CILS, Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (Ramirez, 2017,

p. 5). In the study, it was “found that depressive symptoms in U.S.-born Latino high school

students was significantly associated with discrimination from teachers” (Ramirez, 2017, p. 5).

In the study it is mentioned that self-esteem is an effect “on the relationship between perceived

discrimination and depression” (Ramirez, 2017, p. 7). Citizenship status is also a factor in the

growing anxiety in the Latino community. Latina mothers who have an undocumented child fear

this factor increases the discrimination between their child and society and negatively affects

their child's well-being as mentioned by Ramirez in her article.

Ramirez also adds “in a 2008 report, Hanks discussed the effects that living in an

impoverished neighborhood had on Latino children. The author volunteered as a home visitor,

nurse practitioner, and nursery parent-group leader in a mixed-race (54% Latino) neighborhood

in the Southwest from 1997-2004 and conducted focus groups during that time.” (Ramirez, 2017,

p. 30). In the study, both adults and children reported being harassed by the police and ignored

by political representatives (2017).

Claim #3: ECONOMIC STRUGGLES

The stigma of Latinos not caring about mental health may not fully be true according to

Mental Health America’s online article, “Latino/Hispanic Communities and Mental Health.” In

Mental Health America’s article it is mentioned that in 2009 it was reported in Psychiatry Online,

Hispanics or Latinos may have more positive attitude toward mental health treatment seeking

than non-Hispanic whites” (Mental Health America). This suggests that the treatment barriers are
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not because of a negative attitude, but come from these structural barriers: language and

socioeconomic factors (Mental Health America).

The economic difference between Latinos and “non-Hispanic whites" is extremely big

because of location, education, and annual salary. Most programs are time and money

consuming, which is something most Latinos do not have. In an article by the Office of Minority

Health (OMH, 2017), they mention: “Poverty level affects mental health status. Hispanics living

below the poverty level, as compared to Hispanics over twice the poverty level, are over twice as

likely to report psychological distress” (OMH, 2017). The stress of needing to provide for their

families greatly affects the decision between getting the right treatment they need.

In an analysis by Noah S. Triplett claims, “poverty increases the likelihood an individual

will meet criteria for almost all mental disorders” (Triplett, et al., p. 4). This factor causes stress

on the individual because they will more likely focus on providing for their families than looking

out for their mental health. Triplett adds on by saying that children from impoverished

backgrounds are 2.7 time more likely to develop mental health problems and behavioral

disorders than non-impoverished children (Triplett, et al., p.4). Triplett suggests “that living in

lower-income neighborhoods may have a negative impact on mental health independent of

individual socioeconomic status” (Triplett, p. 4). If Latinos’ socioeconomic status were not lower

than non-Hispanics.

Opinion: WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Societal, cultural and economic issues are the three main factors the statistic of Latinos

with depression and other mental illnesses continue to rise. With this statistic rising, it may seem

almost impossible to ignore this issue in the Latino community. Without a stable, healthy mental

state, our physical health will be affected as well. It also affects our emotions and the way an
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individual thinks. Without proper treatment, it will be difficult for people to understand each

other and make day to day life hard. It is important to address this issue to build a better bond

and understanding in the Latino community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the growing statistic of Latinos being diagnosed with depression can be

derived from societal, racial and economic discrimination. Although, there are Latinos who wish

to seek help there is always one of the these three factors that stops them from receiving the help

they need. The lack of information and resources, socioeconomic differences and racial disparity

must first be addressed in order to create a change in the Latino community. If these issues are

addressed, mental health issues will decrease by a large amount over time.

References

Céspedes, Y. M., & Huey, S. J., Jr. (2008). Depression in Latino adolescents: A cultural

discrepancy perspective. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14(2), 168-172.

Mental Health America. (2018). Latino/Hispanic Communities and Mental Health.

Retrieved from Mental Health America :

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/latinohispanic-communities-and-mental-health

Mental Health Issues in Latino Teens Are Rooted in Discrimination-Related Stress, Finds Study

by Steinhardt Research Team. (2015, February 11). .

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Retrieved February 11, 2015, from:

https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/site/ataglance/2015/02/discrimination-mental-health-latino-teens.html

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). NAMI.

Retrieved from Latino Mental Health : https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-

Communities/Latino-Mental-Health

NYU Steinhardt . (2015, February 11). At a Glance.

Retrieved February 11, 2015, from Mental Health Issues in Latino Teens Are Rooted In

Disccrimination-Related Stress, Finds Study by Steinhardt Research Team:

https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/site/ataglance/2015/02/discrimination-mental-health-latino-teens.html

Ramirez, A. (2017, September 11). Mental Health Research: Latino Community and School

Issues.

Retrieved September 11, 2017, from Salud America!: https://salud-america.org/mental-

health-research-latino-community-and-school-issues/

Triplett, N. S. (n.d.). Yale Review of Undergraduate Research in Psychology. Addressing the

Gaps in Mental Health Care for Spanish Speaking Individuals in Durham, N.C.: A Needs

Assessment and Compilation of Relevant Emperical Literature, 11.

Retrieved from:

https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/campuspress.yale.edu/dist/a/1215/files/2016/05/Triplett-

19i5fze.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and human services office of minority health. (2017, February 24).

OMH.

Retrieved February 24 , 2017, from Mental Health and Hispanics :

https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=
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Walstad, Y., K. (2015). The University of Toledo Digital Repository: Latino Perspective of

Mental Health Recovery: A Grounded Theory Analysis

http://utdr.utoledo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2863&context=theses-dissertations

Welss, J. (2016, June 24). Latina Teens have highest rate of suicide attempts in the U.S.

Retrieved June 24, 2016, from Univision.com: https://www.univision.com/univision-

news/health/latina-teens-have-highest-rate-of-suicide-attempts-in-the-us