by Tonantzin E. Juarez
At 62 million people, Hispanics are the fastest growing population group in the United States. Between 2011 and 2021, the suicide rate among Hispanics jumped from 5.7 per 100,000 to 7.9 per 100,000. And while the overall suicide rate for all populations declined between 2019 and 2020, suicide rates increased among Hispanics. In 2020 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 4,500 Hispanics died by suicide.
September commemorates National Hispanic Heritage Month and National Suicide Prevention Month. For the September Weitzman blog, we bring awareness to the growing suicide rate and disparities in treatment access among Hispanic populations. We highlight policies that could improve overall mental health outcomes for Hispanic populations.
Mental Health among Hispanics: Access to Treatment
Hispanics experience high rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. And while they experience the same mental health issues as the general U.S. population, they endure disparities in access and quality of treatment. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in 2020, compared to the U.S. average of 46.2%, only 35.1% of Hispanic adults with mental illness received treatment and more than half of Hispanic youth with serious mental health issues did not receive treatment. Lack of treatment at such an early age can lead to even worse mental health outcomes and a dim future.
Historically, Hispanics have faced challenges accessing general health care due to barriers like language, affordability, and care that is not culturally sensitive. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reports that only 36% of Hispanic adults who report fair or poor mental health received mental health services in the past three years, compared to 50% of white adults. Hispanic adults report additional barriers to seeking mental health care, including being too embarrassed to seek care or not knowing how to find a provider.
Alarming Suicide Rates among Hispanic Youth
The rate of suicide among Hispanic children and youth is alarming. According to a recent study, Hispanic adolescents report disproportionate rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, with higher rates reported among Hispanic females. The CDC reported that in 2019, 17% of Hispanic high school students reported having serious thoughts of suicide, including 23% of females and 11% of males. Among Hispanic children, the suicide rate between 2010 to 2019 increased 92.3%. Furthermore, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that as of 2024, suicide among Hispanic preteens is growing at the fastest rate when compared to their Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander counterparts. Among Hispanic youth identifying as LGBTQ, 40% reported having considered suicide over the past year. This includes 42% of Mexican and Puerto Rican LGBTQ youths and 38% of Cuban LGBTQ youths.
Experts agree that Hispanic children and adolescents face unique obstacles that lead to stress, depression and overall poor mental health outcomes. Many are first generation U.S. immigrants or the only fluent English speakers in their families, meaning they serve as de facto family administrators, handling legal documents, bills, bank statements and health-related items for their entire families. Health experts agree these responsibilities can cause anxiety and long-term mental health problems. For example, a study from the National Library of Medicine concluded that placing children in the interpreter role can disturb parent-child relationships, place stress on the children, and even lead to medical errors. Other unique factors impacting the mental health of Hispanic youth include discrimination, migration, bullying and fears of deportation.
Recommendations
Experts agree that cultural and systematic obstacles impact the mental health of Hispanics. Researchers and clinicians must consider the unique challenges experienced by this community. These challenges exacerbate poor mental health outcomes and reduce access to prevention and treatment programs. Below are general recommendations to help reduce the suicide rate among Hispanics.
Train a bilingual and culturally competent mental health workforce
There is a need to diversify the mental health workforce, especially as a third of Hispanics prefer to see a Spanish-speaking health care provider. This includes not only training bilingual mental health providers but also expanding culturally oriented training. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), only one percent of psychologists identified themselves as Hispanic even though 20% of the U.S. population identifies as Hispanic. Expanding recruitment, education and training opportunities across Hispanic-serving institutions can help fill this gap.
Expand culturally sensitive therapy
Culturally sensitive therapy refers to a therapist’s ability to provide treatment that can overcome cultural and socioeconomic barriers. It is essential that therapists are able to understand their client’s background as it relates to their race, ethnicity, gender, language and other elements that make up their culture and/or identity. Expanding therapists’ cultural capacity can improve patient trust, avoid misinterpretations in therapy, and increase positive mental health outcomes. Relatedly, the movement to decolonize mental health treatment is gaining momentum. Many U.S. models of therapy are viewed as Eurocentric, as they focus on individual traits and independence. However, Hispanic culture values family unity, loyalty to family and friends, and a person’s role in the community. The movement calls for an overhaul of therapy models based in Western culture and the use of models that better speak to the cultural identities of Hispanics.
Expand and leverage school-based mental health programs and services
There is a need for school based mental health programs that can help reduce the rate of suicide among Hispanic youth. Just like we need culturally competent mental health providers, we need a school workforce with the capacity to identify the unique needs and struggles Hispanic youth may face to ensure navigation to adequate mental health services. These issues include bullying, discrimination, and other immigration-related factors. Schools can also help by promoting positive mental health outcomes. For example, Hispanic youth who participated in physical education classes at least three times a week or more reported less sadness compared to those who only participated two times or less a week. Additionally, hosting home visits and educational sessions resulted in higher rates of engagement among Hispanic 7th graders and reduced stress.
Looking Ahead
In 2022 the federal government partnered with states to introduce the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect people with a crisis counselor and other resources. While a Spanish text and chat service was added in July 2022, it remains unclear whether these services are readily available. Preliminary reports show that Hispanics are less likely than Black, Asian and White adults to have heard of the 988 mental health hotline. More work remains to be done to create awareness of this crisis line and the services it provides among the Hispanic community. It would be useful to engage organizations serving Hispanic communities in providing feedback and strategies that could help disseminate this important resource. Federal and state initiatives should also support community organizations that can facilitate bilingual support groups, fight the stigma associated with mental illness within the Hispanic community, and remove barriers to proper care. Policymakers and stakeholders should center Hispanics’ lived experiences in the creation of future policies and education programs to better serve these diverse communities, improve health outcomes, and help strengthen healthy families.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
- Si usted, o alguien que conoce, está pensando en lastimarse o suicidarse: Llame a la Linea Nacional de Suicidio GRATIS, 24/7 al 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Para mas recursos en español, visite: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/site-info/si-usted-esta-en-crisis