Cultural Sensitivity Hallmark of MH Guide for Latinos

The debut screening of a newly released, culturally sensitive DVD and a companion booklet for Latinos about mental health and illness took place in May at APA's 2009 annual meeting in San Francisco.

The 30-minute DVD and 59-page bilingual booklet are both titled“ Mental Health: A Guide for Latinos and Their Families,” or“ Salud Mental: Una Guía para Latinos y sus Familias” in Spanish. Both the booklet and DVD are illustrated with colorful abstract images by the Ecuador-born artist Jose Ortega.

Both the DVD and guide present the ABCs of mental health in both English and Spanish and within the context of Latino culture—from the signs and symptoms of mental illness to the importance of treatment. The overall goal is to reduce the stigma of mental illness that can be an obstacle to getting needed care.

About 50 people attended the San Francisco screening, including Jose De La Gandara, M.D., the representative from the Assembly Hispanic Caucus; members of APA's Committee of Hispanic Psychiatrists; and interested others, including those from Spanish-speaking countries abroad.

Andres Pumariega, M.D., chair of APA's Committee of Hispanic Psychiatrists, believes the guide and DVD package is the first of its kind in terms of national reach “directed toward the general public of a particular racial/ethnic/cultural group around mental illness.” He said it is“ also unique in that it combines printed and video psychoeducational material, both presented in a culturally appropriate context.” Indeed, the guide bridges cultural and scientific understanding of mental illness and its treatment by addressing the unique cultural beliefs and attitudes about mental illness in Latino communities.

The Committee of Hispanic Psychiatrists, supported by APA's Office of Minority and National Affairs, had major involvement in this project, including the development, vetting, and editing of the guide's narrative content (including the Spanish translation) and the script featured in the DVD. The DVD features Pumariega along with Ana Campo, M.D., a former chair of APA's Committee of Hispanic Psychiatrists.

Conrad and Associates of Potomac, Md., produced the initiative and reached out to APA to provide the psychiatric content. Conrad also collaborated with the National Hispanic Medical Association and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The guide and DVD are being distributed free of charge to Latino organizations and those who serve Latino communities. Others who would like a copy of the guide and DVD should e-mail their request to [email protected].▪