APA Bridges Language Gap In Mental Health Information
APA is extending education on mental health issues to new populations through a campaign that offers Spanish-language materials on the prevention and treatment of mental disorders.
APA launched its Hispanic Mental Health Initiative in October to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries.
“It is critical that we address the mental health needs of Hispanic and Latino Americans,” said APA President-elect Pedro Ruiz, M.D., in an October press release. “Creating resources and materials in Spanish is an important step in helping to support the mental health of this segment of the population.”
The press release pointed out that nearly 40 million people in the United States are of Hispanic or Latino origin.
The initiative is the newest component of APA's “Healthy Minds, Health Lives” public-information campaign, which was launched in May (Psychiatric News, May 6).
The materials can be downloaded for free through HealthyMinds.org, an APA Web site designed to provide the public with information on a wide range of mental health topics. Among features on this Web site are the following:
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Q & A with Ana Campo, M.D., who is chair of APA's Committee of Hispanic Psychiatrists. This section provides statistics about mental health in Hispanic/Latino populations and information about how to locate Spanish-speaking psychiatrists, for example.
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Access to APA's “Let's Talk Facts” series of brochures, which have been translated into Spanish. The brochures are designed for the public and contain information on depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, common mental disorders affecting children and adolescents, suicide, how to choose a psychiatrist, and other topics.
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A link to another APA Web site, ParentsMedGuide.org, which offers a Spanish-language translation of scientific information and practical advice for parents about depression in children and adolescents, including a discussion of medication-related issues.
APA is not alone in its mission to raise awareness of mental health problems among Spanish-speaking individuals.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has translated materials from its “Real Men Real Depression” campaign into Spanish to help Spanish-speaking men understand more about depression and encourage them to seek treatment.
According to an October NIMH press release, 54 percent of Latino men who have ever experienced at least one episode of major depression do not recognize that they have a mental health problem.
The press release states that “Latinos also report reluctance to get treatment for depression” because many fear that doing so will put their jobs at risk.
The new materials include booklets, brochures, and fact sheets from the“ Real Men Real Depression” campaign that have been translated into Spanish and address the symptoms, treatment options, and challenges faced by men with depression.
APA's Hispanic Mental Health Initiative materials are posted at<www.healthyminds.org/hispanicmh.cfm> and Spanish-language materials from the NIMH “Real Men Real Depression” campaign are posted at<www.menanddepression.nimh.nih.gov/> under the “publications” section. ▪
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Published online: 4 November 2005
Published in print: November 4, 2005
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APA and NIMH are translating educational mental health materials into Spanish to increase the reach of the message that treatment works.
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