Today is World Mental Health Day, and the focus is on Mental Health in the Workplace. A recent survey by the Newport Institute revealed that Hispanic and Latino young adults in the United States have higher rates of mental health conditions, with just over half reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The report highlighted that Hispanic and Latino youth face various stressors, including ongoing racial discrimination, bias, microaggressions, and violence.
Additionally, they encounter obstacles in accessing mental healthcare.
Recent research from July 2023 found that young adults experienced a significant increase in depression during the pandemic.
However, strong social relationships helped mitigate depression for young women.
A study in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology in 2023 identified multiple stressors that Latinx children and families have endured historically and in recent years, including hostile immigration policies and ethno-racial trauma.
One of the significant barriers preventing young Latino/Hispanic adults from accessing care is the lack of culturally competent mental health professionals, with only 8 percent of U.S. psychologists being Hispanic, according to the American Psychological Association.
This lack of representation can lead to a misunderstanding or misdiagnosis of mental health issues, as depression in Latino/Hispanic young adults often manifests as physical symptoms such as fatigue or headaches, which may not be recognized as mental health indicators by all professionals.
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health revealed that 44% of Latinx/Hispanic young adults with mental health symptoms do not receive any counseling.
More than 20 years ago, Hispanic Engineer magazine spoke to students, counsellors, deans, and administrators about the critical issues students face, particularly in engineering and science fields.
To navigate past the pitfalls, individual heroics may bring success in the movies. But in the real world of engineering, it’s usually teamwork that counts.
Academic leaders and counsellors emphasized the importance of collaboration and community building for students.
They recommended studying in groups and participating in organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professionals (SHPE) to meet other students. Check out the fun gameboard we created for college life.
Many engineering schools now provide spaces for students to interact, such as food courts, classes, labs, and common areas in buildings, as well as organizing various events throughout the year.
In April 2024, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) supported the Advancing Culturally Competent and Equitable Supportive Services (ACCESS) in Mental Health Act.
This legislation aims to provide more Black and Brown mental health professionals who can offer culturally responsive and trauma-informed care.
HACU president and CEO Antonio R. Flores, along with Congressman Jamal Bowman and representatives from various organizations, announced the introduction of the ACCESS Act on Capitol Hill.
The Act would provide grants to institutions to create, expand, or improve graduate programs in mental health fields, as well as offering financial assistance to students pursuing graduate degrees in these areas.
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