Carlos Galindo Elvira, the Director of Engagement and Community Partnerships for Chicanos Por La Causa, wrote about the suicide rate amongst Latinx/Hispanics and the lack of mental health resources for them. Elvira about his own suicidal ideation and his search for help in Sunday’s Arizona Republic. He discussed why Latinos/Hispanics are reluctant to discuss this issue and how to find help.
Elvira attributes the hesitancy to talk about mental health due to a cultural problem saying it’s meant to be private, in particular for Hispanic males.
“Those expectations lead to a reluctance to seek help and to get help,” Elvira says.
Factors leading to the reluctance include legal status that could lead to barriers to expressing any mental health issues with someone they trust.
Elvira had a friend that listened and gave him advice when he was open about his mental health struggles. He got the help he needed and now wants to use the knowledge he gained to help others avoid going through the same things he did.
“I want to be a spark through my guest column for people to seek out that help, especially during a crisis,” Elvira said.
Elvira pointed out that it’s oftentimes the person you least expect while also referencing that it could be anyone that’s struggling. He also spoke about the struggle for Hispanics to get the help they actually need.
Read more at AZPBS.org.
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