Presenter: Grace Carrero
Group Members: Shayla Jin Quan Schafer, Mia Chow, Silvia Scarlett Guarnotta
Faculty Sponsor: David L. Chin
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Public Health and Epidemiology
ABSTRACT
This study examines determinants of mental health effects among Latino migrants and evaluates gaps in services and resources. Migrants within the United States experience adverse mental health outcomes due to reduced access to care, pre- and post- migration stress, discrimination, lack of resources and community support. The accumulation of these factors highlight the need for equitable change for this growing population. Neglecting these various stressors has severe implications for this population and the U.S. health care system as they increase the risk for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. Previous studies have identified key concerns regarding Latino migrant mental health, but have lacked substantial recommendations for approaching this issue in the current U.S. context. We conducted a systematic literature review to create recommendations based upon previous evidence to improve Latino migrant adverse mental health in the United States and address the components contributing to the public health issue. We utilized PubMed, National Library of Medicine and Google Scholar to find peer-reviewed articles with the search terms including “Latino migrants”, “mental health”, “barriers”, and “discrimination.” Using existing evidence-based research, we propose community-based interventions to address the adverse mental health outcomes in Latino migrants. Interventions include utilizing trusted community health workers and members to bridge the gaps between this community and formal services as well as providing culturally tailored services in appropriate languages.