Thread: County works to care for Latinos

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/ ... 228933.htm

Survey: About half of Hispanics have relative with mental problem
DÁNICA COTO
dcoto@charlotteobserver.com

Mental health agencies in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties are creating new programs and revamping existing ones after reviewing survey results about needs among Latinos.

About half of the 400 Latinos surveyed last year by Mental Health Association of Central Carolinas said they had a relative who suffered from an emotional or mental problem, the survey found.

"That's dramatic," said Liz Jordak, MHA executive director. She presented the findings Thursday to area mental health agencies.

Officials surveyed 350 Latinos in Mecklenburg County and 50 in Cabarrus County, which MHA also serves. More than 66,000 Latinos live in Mecklenburg County, making up almost 9 percent of the population. About 7,500 Latinos live in Cabarrus County, according to the U.S. Census.

The most common source of mental problems among Latinos was family disruption and trauma from a natural disaster, such as losing a home or relatives to earthquakes or hurricanes that have hit Central America. Other sources were political violence and domestic abuse, the survey found.

Money, language, fear of deportation and not knowing what services are available have stopped Latinos from seeking help, according to the survey.

About 60 percent of Latinos surveyed said mental health problems were not a result of mental illness. About 20 percent said they were caused by nature, 9 percent said the devil and 5 percent said evil spirits.

Mental health workers say it's a challenge working with patients who hold traditional beliefs rooted in custom and culture. That's why having bicultural, not just bilingual, staff is important, Jordak said. Case workers need to be sensitive to a client's perspective, she added.

Most Latinos who believe they have a mental problem talk with a priest or minister, the survey found, but that's not an ideal solution, said Ángeles Ortega Moore, executive director of the Latin American Coalition.

"They can provide emotional support to a flock, but not on an individual basis," she said.

Officials with various mental health agencies said they need to educate and train clergy, folk healers, family doctors and other people Latinos usually turn to about what services are available.

Ortega said she's not sure what services to call when someone needs help for a mental problem. Earlier this month, a woman walked into her office and had a breakdown; Ortega called a local hotline, but couldn't get the woman an appointment until May 5.

"She doesn't consider herself an emotionally and mentally battered woman, but she was," Ortega said.

Agencies who work with Latinos say they're stepping up education efforts.

Mecklenburg County recently hired an outreach coordinator who's targeting bilingual people first, said Grayce Crockett, executive director of Mecklenburg's area mental health agency. They're also translating more materials to Spanish, she said.

Crockett also wants to partner more often with Latino agencies, such as Mi Casa Su Casa.

That agency recently hired an additional psychologist to meet demands, said executive director Pat Martínez. Mi Casa Su Casa, in turn, is working with Guiding Shepherd, which recently hired two case workers who work only with Latinos, she said.

Sometimes, the goal is more basic: to make people aware they have a mental illness. Some Latino immigrants don't even know they're suffering, Martínez said.

"The family is trying to make a living," she said. "They don't have time to say, `Oh, wait a minute, I feel down today.' "

Other Findings

Those surveyed said their relatives experienced the following conditions, some of which are rooted in traditional beliefs and difficult for providers of mental health care to treat:

• 45 percent had "angustia," or distress, mental anguish.

• 30 percent had "susto," or a state of sudden fright, or being scared.

• 27 percent had "ataque de nervios," or panic attacks.

• 13 percent had "mal de ojo," or "evil eye." Some believe that children who are scared, cry excessively or don't eat suffer from this.
Dánica Coto: (704) 358-5065.

Geesh! I don't know how much more I can stand!

Everybody at sometime or another has panic attacks or afraid..such Bull.

Where did we get these do-gooders that work so hard to give away our tax dollars?