Outside of Latin America, the United States is home to the largest Latinx population. The Latinx community has grown in the past decade, surpassing 60 million in 2019 (Noe-Bustamante et al., 2020). However, Mexican, Guatemalan, Salvadoran, and Honduran ancestry immigrants, like many other Latinx communities, have historically been oppressed due to colonialization, modern-day oppression, and racist political agendas (both in their country of origin and the United States). Latinxs experience multiple stressors affecting their mental health and experience barriers to culturally responsive treatment. Such barriers result in an influx of untreated mental health concerns and disorders, leading to historical and generationally passed-on mental health struggles.

Additionally, the over-focus on deficits frameworks to understand the Latinx experience further perpetuates marginalization. Thus, knowing the history of Mexicans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans before immigration, during immigration, and in the United States is crucial to effectively support their mental health needs. Supporting mental health providers and educators in their understanding of how history, politics, and trauma shape the mental health experiences of Latinx immigrants is essential to give providers the tools to capitalize on the existing strengths and resources of Latinxs. Therefore, the intent of the present book serves as a guide for mental health providers working with Latinx communities. The book will present the unique and specific experiences of Mexican, Guatemalan, Salvadoran, and Honduran communities before and in the United States. A focus on the intersecting role of oppression, historical trauma, oppressive policies, and current stressors (COVID-19) will be explored in the context of mental health considerations.  

This webinar will discuss possible uses of this resource and highlight content that may benefit clinicians working with Latino populations. Participants will have an opportunity to speak with one of the authors to explore its benefits in mental health services for Latinos.