We have written a pretty good amount on the PsychCentral blog about stigma associated with psychological problems and treatment. Unfortunately, this stigma is even more pronounced for new immigrants to the United States. The Los Angeles Times has a great report on the topic, and highlights several major reasons for the problem including a language barrier and long-standing traditional beleifs about mental disorders.

Doctors and others who work with immigrants say being in a new country, without the support of family and surrounded by a foreign culture, can be a real psychological hardship.

Studies reviewed in the report suggested that fewer than one in 20 Hispanics with mental disorders used the services of specialists, while Asians-Pacific Islanders were far less likely than whites to seek care for a mental disorder, or even to mention their problems to friends and family.

One of the biggest current mental health needs is treatment and psychological education in Spanish. Many new immigrants to the United States who have the means and desire to seek treatment can’t find a provider to competently help them. It is also important that neighbors, communities, and employers of people new to the country understand how difficult the acculturation process can be, and support those who are stuggling to make the adjustment.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 10 Dec 2006
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.