September 15 marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. This celebration was first established as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under former President Lyndon B. Johnson and was extended to a full month in 1988 by former President Ronald Regan. Unlike many other monthly observed celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month starts on the 15th of September and ends on the 15th of October.
In addition to celebrating important moments in the Hispanic and the Latinx community, this observance also helps open the conversation about various experiences that this demographic faces. Mental health is one of the areas that require more attention. Data from behavioral psychologists estimate that around 34% of Hispanic/Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year. A recent study done by SAMHSA found that individuals who identified as Hispanic/Latinx saw a sharp increase of depression and suicidal ideation between the age range of 18 and 25. Contrastingly individuals 50 years and older saw a significant decline in the same areas.
Even when many Hispanic and Latinx citizens settle into American society, they often face a new set of difficulties. The language barrier is one of the most blatant disconnects. In the Mental health arena, a common miscommunication occurs when Hispanic/Latinx clients express experiencing nervios, a form of depression. Health professionals who are not familiar with Hispanic languages, in some cases, misdiagnose clients with lesser conditions.
Read more at RiversofHopeCounseling.com.
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