Reflection Paper On Depression

The Latino community, from immigrating to United States born Latinos are often known to be depressed. Depression is a medical illness that causes a constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest, it affects how the person feels, behaves and thinks. Many Latinos rely on their extended family, community, traditional healers, or churches for help during a health crisis. As a result, many Latinos with mental illnesses often go without professional mental treatment. But why is it that Latinos are so reluctant to receiving help? Sheila Dichoso states that, “there are only 29 Latino mental-health professionals for every 100,000 Latinos in the United States, compared to 173 non-Hispanic white providers

Different sub-groups among the Latino Community possesses varying rates of psychological disorders. A recent study, conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, surveyed those of the Latino and Hispanic Communities in the United States. This study revealed, that generally, 27% of Latinos reported having higher levels of depression. Among the various Latino groups, those having a lower score of 22.3% were those of the Mexican descent and those having a

Nothing brings relief from the existential torture.” (Depression, 1997). Everyone is subject to sadness or melancholy moods especially after tragic events such as death, dissolution of a personal relationship, or economic hardship; these feelings are normal. It is a prolonged sense of these feeling and being unable to process past them that a more serious form of depression has taken hold. The damage caused by the emotional and mental effects of depression can be far reaching from hurting and pushing away friends and family, destroying careers, and can even result in death by suicide.(Depression, 1997).

     Depression is an illness, that strikes all ages, all races and all genders. It has no

In the Mexican culture treats physical and mental illnesses as one. They consider emotional, spiritual, social and physical factors are contributors to disease (Santana & Santa, 2005). These illness measures as a social crisis affect the entire group.

Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration. Depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to function at work or school or cope with daily

Evidence has shown that Latinos are the group in the US who are most likely to not seek professional help (Kessler et al., 1994, 2005; Lagomasino et al. 2005; Redmond et al. 2009; Wang et al. 2005 as cited in Lorenzo-Blanco, & Delva, 2012). More than half of Latino women sought help with family and friends, 1/3 reported to police and less than a quarter sought help from doctors and psychiatrists (Mookerjee, Fernandez, & Chin, 2015). Fewer than 1 in 11 Latinos seek help for services and fewer than 1 in 5 Latinos seek help from general healthcare providers (Hough et al. 1987 as cited in Lorenzo-Blanco, & Delva, 2012). There are reasons why Latinos will look for services or why they won’t. In this review it will answer questions

Instead of seeking mental health services for emotional or psychological concern, Latinos tend to seek medical care services from a physician. Both (Gelman, 2005; Bedoya, 2014; Organista, 1995) portray Latinos favoring mental health services through primary care than a mental health care setting. Many Latinos misinterpret physical symptoms as a medical illness when, in fact, it may be due to psychological condition. It is not uncommon for Latinos to mainly present mental issues as physical complaints (González-Prendes, Hindo, & Pardo, 2011, p. 380). Similarly Kanter et al. (2008) states, “Depression in Latino immigrants with low acculturation often is characterized somatic complaints with less awareness and identification of psychological symptoms”

The ideal way to deal with depression is to talk through it, one has to be open to a therapist or anyone who is qualified to take care of mental health. Yet in some subcultures in the United States, talking about one's feelings are almost taboo, take for example, the Hispanic/Latino culture. Where men must be men and not dare talk about their feelings, and where women must keep quiet about their mouths shut. According to Eudardo Colon, “The lack of validated assessment tools for depression in Hispanics may explain why they are least likely to be diagnosed and treated for depression” (“Diabetes and depression in the Hispanic/Latino community”). Clearly, this shows that Hispanic people tend to have less tools to help themselves realize that

Depression is mental illnesses characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, despair and worthlessness that interfere with daily functioning and personal relationships. It is an illness caused by an imbalance of the chemicals in the brain. It affects about 19 million people and cost billions in any given year (Ford-Martin). Some of the symptoms of depression are having a hard time focusing, constant crying, and loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary everyday activities, sleep problems, problems with eating and weight (gain or loss). Depression strikes all age groups, and often goes unrecognized or inadequately treated.

Latino’s are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the United States, in which one-third of the Latino population is under the age of 18 ( PEW Research Center, 2017). As research studies have determined, the prevalence of mental illness tends to increase during the adolescent years affecting one in four adolescents (Lawton & Gerdes, 2014). It is reported that 30% of youth in the United States experiences an episode of sadness once a month (Lorenzo et. al, 2016). The prevalence of mental illness among Latino youth is strongly associated with the exposure of high rates of culturally relevant stressors, such as discrimination, in which can increase the risk of a mental illness (e.g., depression, and anxiety).

The Latino culture takes a more monistic approach to the mind-body problem. This may affect the ways in which depression is experienced and expressed. For example, studies have found that Latinos are more likely to express psychological distress in somatic terms such as lack of energy, sleep disturbances, and body aches (Martinez Tyson, Castaneda, Porter, Quiroz, & Carrion, 2011). Additionally, studies find that Latinos are more likely to take a holistic approach to healing as evidenced by the principle of “mente sana en cuerpo sano y alma sana’ (healthy mind in healthy body and healthy soul) which communicates the strong connection between mind, body, and soul (Comas-Diaz, 2006). This suggests that a purely physical approach to therapy may not be well-received by the Latino client, and is supported by studies showing Latino patients feel apprehensive towards being treated with anti-depressants even when they have positive attitudes towards receiving treatment for depression (Cabassa, Lester, & Zayas, 2007). Understanding the client’s perception of the self is important in diagnosing and treating depression. Therefore, an effective therapist must be able to understand and incorporate the client’s worldview throughout the therapeutic process.

Culturally, individuals belonging to the Hispanic population are more prone to develop PTSD, this often attributed to the fact that the individuals belonging to the Hispanic population are more likely to experiences trauma (Fierros and Smith, 2006). There are a few cultural characteristics among the Hispanic population that affect Jonie's abilities to cope with her PTSD. According to Fierros and Smith, socioculturally Hispanics support fatalistic beliefs (events are inevitable and beyond their control), have a tendency to normalize stress, and underreport distress, and have diminishing resources (2006).

There are many people in the United States who are experiencing mental health problems, yet, according to research, most of these people are not seeking help. Since it is expected that about 40 percent of adolescents living in the Unites States will be Latin-American by 2060 (qtd. In Kapke), this has made researchers want to help provide effective, accessible, and appropriate services for Latin-American families. In the article “Latino Early Adolescent Mental Health: Examining the Impact of Family Functioning, Familism, and Global Self-Worth” by Theresa Kapke, she explains that Latin American children are at risk of mental health problems due to discrimination, immigration, and serious cases of poverty that is forced upon them. Also in the

Depression is a mental illness in which a person experiences deep, stable sadness and discontinued interest in nearly all activities. People also use the term depression to describe the temporary sadness, loneliness,