July is National Minority Mental Health Month

 

POSTED ON Jul 04, 2022

 

To mark the start of National Minority Mental Health Month, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health released a series of infographics to highlight the crisis among Hispanic high school students and Hispanic adults.

The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States, with a mission to achieve the best health for all.

According to findings released in the infographics, nearly 1 in 5 Hispanic high school students (19.7%) considered suicide, and nearly half (46.6%) reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021.

“The assault on the mental well-being of our communities reflect the disproportionate physical, emotional, and financial impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Hispanic communities,” said Jane L. Delgado, president, and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

June 2020 data revealed that Hispanic adults were the community most likely to report at least one adverse mental health condition, including anxiety disorder or depressive disorder. Moreover, Hispanics were the group most likely to have considered suicide. Furthermore, treatment rates for Hispanic individuals with mental illnesses are alarmingly low. In 2020, only about a third of Hispanic adults with a mental illness received treatment, compared to nearly half of all non-Hispanic individuals.

“Our families and children are hurting. They are suffering in the silence which ignores their cries. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts call 988 to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call in Spanish at 1-888-628-9454 or English at 1-800-273-8255. If you need information for mental health services in your area call the Alliance’s bilingual Su Familia Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645 for information.” urged Dr. Delgado.