ABSTRACT
Latinos are a growing and vibrant segment of the United States population that contribute to the social, economic, and political progress of this nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2007), this diverse population is now the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, representing 14% of U.S. households. The diversity of the Latino population poses unique challenges for clinicians and policymakers to understand Latinos’ mental health status and how to meet their needs for mental health services. This chapter begins with an overview of the sociodemographic diversity of the Latino population relevant to mental health care. It then presents a review of current epidemiological studies documenting the prevalence of mental health disorders in the Latino adult population, followed by a discussion of the disparities this population faces in mental health care. Next, examples of culturally competent mental health treatments are presented to illustrate current efforts to improve the access and quality of mental health care in this population. The chapter ends with recommendations for the delivery of community mental health services to Latino populations.
