Abstract
Problem Significance: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected mental health for all, especially the Hispanic/Latinx community. Hispanic/Latinx adolescents experience greater cultural stressors than those experienced by all adolescents living in the U.S., contributing to a higher rate of depressive symptoms in this population. In Sacramento County, Hispanic/ Latinx adolescents in 7th, 9th, and 11th grades report high percentages of feeling chronic sadness or hopelessness every day for at least two weeks compared to peers of other ethnicities. An intervention specific to this population is needed.
Analysis and Objectives: Mi Cuento is informed by the Social Cognitive Theory and the Social Networks and Social Support Framework. The components of the intervention are also guided by the experiences of a current practicing psychologist in Sacramento County and a previously implemented intervention to reduce mental health symptoms in adolescents. Mi Cuento’s outcome objective is to reduce the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms for Hispanic/ Latinx adolescents.
Intervention (Solution) Proposal: Mi Cuento is a pilot program aimed at fostering the power of peer support and sharing personal experiences in a school-based setting to strengthen current support networks, increase help-seeking behaviors, increase comfortability in initiating mental health conversations, and increase positive attitudes towards seeking professional mental health help.
Recommendations and Conclusions: All stakeholders need to work collaboratively, build trust, be open-minded, and embrace the story-sharing process of the intervention. Mi Cuento will help individuals embrace their experiences to seek mental health help and improve long-term mental health outcomes.