As of July 1, 2022, the Hispanic population accounts for 19.1% of the total population of the United States, making it the largest ethnic or racial minority in the country and the second fastest growing minority after Asian Americans. Like many minority communities, the Hispanic community faces complex challenges and displays distinctive strengths when confronting mental health issues. While nearly 22% of Hispanic Americans report living with a mental health condition, only one-third report receiving any kind of mental health services or treatment. Several factors influence this community’s engagement with the behavioral health care system, including language and cultural barriers, access to preventive care, and lack of adequate health insurance. As this population continues to grow, it is imperative that mental health clinicians equip themselves with information, structural competency, and cultural humility to meet the mental health needs of the Hispanic community. The purpose of this report is to shed light on the current mental health landscape for Hispanic individuals seeking mental health care in the Southeastern states and the clinicians who serve them.
