Adapting communication and resources for Spanish-speaking patients is crucial for many health-related situations but it is especially important in the mental health field. Service providers and mental health care professionals must be knowledgeable about the nuances and cultural influences of Latino, Hispanic, or other Spanish-speaking clients.
More than 42 million people in the United States speak Spanish at home, making Spanish the second most spoken language in America. Although this creates an enriched American culture, it can create problems, especially in health care, for children and adults from Hispanic or Spanish-speaking homes. For instance, more than 50% of children from Spanish-speaking homes are obese. This may be a result of the lack of health information in Spanish as well as the fact that almost all food labels are in English.
But the lack of Spanish-based content is especially important in the mental health field.
This blog will explore how to help bridge the language barrier in mental health care, including the following:
- How understanding the language helps reduce the stigma of mental health care in the Spanish-speaking community.
- How removing the language barrier improves mental health care treatment.
- How improving the language barrier affects mental health care.
How Language Understanding Reduces Mental Health Care Stigma
The term “cultural competence” is used to describe the ability of businesses or people to interact with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. In the mental health services field, effective cultural competency requires an understanding of the factors that affect a person’s choices and perception of the world around them,
Being aware of culture differences ensures that mental health care professionals don’t jump to conclusions based on stereotypes. Additionally,, language fluency aids in a more accurate diagnosis and more effective communication during treatment, which ultimately provides better outcomes. These are part of a higher standard of health care because of cultural understanding.
Another benefit is how cultural competency allows mental health professionals to design a unique treatment plan for each client. By offering mental health care that is culturally sensitive, practitioners can develop treatment plans that honor the cultural beliefs and preferences of their patients, resulting in more successful outcomes. Understanding cultural differences plays a key role in diminishing mental health stigma by fostering a climate of understanding and acceptance.
For many Spanish-speaking cultures, mental health disorders and conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are seen as a sign of weakness. Others may feel mental issues are a very private matter and still others are concerned that family and friends may see them as unbalanced.
Because a lack of understanding or information can increase the stigma, offering details about the biological causes of mental disorders helps both the patient and their family view mental health aberrations differently. When they understand that there are chemical causes of mental disorders, the misconceptions can be corrected.
There are also disparities in acceptance between American culture and Spanish-based communities. People from the LGBTQIA+, community and those involved in substance use are not as easily accepted in the Latin or Hispanic community. Because of this lack of understanding and acceptance, it’s more difficult for people to reach out for help.
How Removing the Language Barrier Improves Mental Health Treatment
Clear communication is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Understanding a person’s cultural heritage helps a therapist to accurately interpret cultural nuances as well as effectively communicate the therapies and actions that are necessary for effective treatment. Treatments can be modified to the unique needs of each individual. Patients often are more likely to commit to the recommended therapy because they feel understood. Because patients are following the recommendations of their therapists more closely, they show more improvement and experience an overall sense of feeling better.
The challenge for a Spanish-speaking culture is not being able to understand how to get help for their mental health issues. They may not be able to make an appointment or find the location of the therapist’s office. They may not be able to determine if they can afford treatment or even do basic research on mental health care if no resources in Spanish are available.
Likewise, the inability to understand a factsheet or a guideline for health insurance can be a huge obstacle to obtaining mental health care. Without Spanish-language resources, it’s a big challenge for some in the Hispanic community and Latino community to improve their well-being.
Speaking and Understanding Spanish is Especially Important in Mental Health Care
Spanish-speaking therapists and Spanish-based materials are hugely important when treating patients from a Spanish-speaking culture. The assessment of a patient’s issue strongly relies on verbal communication between a therapist and their patient, as well as that patient’s interactions with the clinic staff. A lack of communication can lead to a misdiagnosis, ineffective therapies, or even a delay in getting treatment.
Many national organizations are now featuring resources in Spanish.. According to an article titled Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Care for Spanish Speakers from the American Psychiatric Association (https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/overcoming-barriers-for-spanish-speakers), the APA has expanded its Spanish language health information at La Salud Mental (https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/la-salud-mental). NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) and Mental Health America are also featuring resources in Spanish.
If you need to call or text for more critical situations, the Crisis Text Line features a Spanish language version, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline also offers a Spanish version.
NAMI is also offering compartiendo esperanza (https://namiga.org/compartiendo-esperanza/) a three-part video series that explores the journey of mental wellness in Hispanic/Latinx communities.
Being able to learn more about mental health conditions goes a long way in reducing any stigmas about getting treatment and taking the first step on the path to wellness. But it is hard to learn if all the resources are in an unfamiliar language.
Therapists who are treating patients need to go one step further. They need to create their own Spanish resource center.
To reach, serve, treat, and improve the life of your Spanish-speaking patients and clients, you need to provide your own Spanish-based resources. The content on your website needs a Spanish version in order for your Spanish-speaking clients to fully understand what you offer. The same for your blog, social media posts, articles, pamphlets—in other words, all your written materials that are in English also need to be in Spanish.
It’s important to remember that speaking another person’s language not only allows you to communicate clearly with them—it also allows them to know you, your clinic, and what you have to offer. Speaking the language of your clients encourages a sense of trust, understanding, and willingness on their part to act.
Your Spanish-speaking clients will not only understand you better, they’ll also appreciate the fact that you are speaking their language. Although they may not consciously realize it, they will enjoy visiting your website, reading your brochure, or scrolling through your social media posts. They’ll enjoy reading what you have to say, not only because they can understand it, but because reading your content will make them feel as if they are “home.”
How do you ensure that the content of your website, marketing materials, and brochures is written in a way that attracts and welcomes a patient?
Look intoSoribel Martinez’s Translation Services. We not only give you an accurate translation, we make certain that your words are familiar and culturally appropriate for your audience.
Soribel Martinez’s Translation Services is not only about words—it’s about connecting cultures, emotions, comfort, and hope.
