Pathways to Mental Health Care: Latinos' Help-Seeking Preferences

As the largest minority population in the United States and still one of the fastest growing, it is imperative for Latinos to access appropriate and comprehensive health care, including mental health treatment. Current research suggests Latinos have low regard for mental health services overall. This study explores Latino's treatment preferences and pathways to care when seeking assistance for mental health related concerns using data from a community-based survey of approximately 500 Latino adults on beliefs and attitudes about mental health and help seeking. Results found that more than half of participants prefer to seek help through informal source of care (e.g., friends, family members, coworkers, religious leaders, faith healers) initially rather than formal mental health service providers (e.g., licensed health professionals, a hospital, clinic). Demographic characteristics of respondents and symptoms experienced by the person in need of help predicted preferences in preferred paths of help seeking. Implications are presented for increasing treatment engagement for Latinos with mental health concerns.