Abstract
This study examined the contributing factors to the underutilization of the mental health services among the Latino population in the Sacramento region. A non-probability purposive sample (n =33) of subjects with a Latino background were administered an online survey on their perspectives regarding Familismo, alternative healing practices, religion, acculturation, social economic status, and experiences of discrimination. The study findings indicate that the acculturation levels of the participants, their perception of stigma related to mental illness, and patterns of help seeking from family and friends influence the degree and/or hesitation in utilizing mental health services. Results indicated a significant positive correlation between perceived public stigma and personal stigma, r (31) =.496, p =.003 among the respondents. The results from an independent sample t-test to compare General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ) scores in the participants born in the United States and participants born outside the United States yielded a mean difference of 2.2272 between the two groups with no statistical significance. This and other findings suggest that while there is some difference in the pattern of help seeking behavior between the first and second generation immigrants the experience of other barriers is similar between the two groups in the areas of language difficulties and experiences of discrimination. Shared ethnic background emerged as a factor with 51.2% of the participants in the study indicating that they would likely seek mental health services and with 33% responding that it is extremely likely that they would seek services if the provider was Latino. It is recommended that both interventions and education at the micro and macro level specifically on programs and services planned in collaboration with the Latino community for integrating the cultural identity and health perceptions of the community members in developing culturally competent mental health services, need to be addressed. Additionally, improving access to the mental health care provided by bilingual professionals, trained interpreters, and innovative health fairs or mobile clinics are required to reduce the vulnerabilities associated with seeking help from entities and professionals outside the family.