The mental health of the Latino community in New York City is worse than before the pandemic began, and the stigma surrounding recognizing that they suffer from mental and emotional conditions is being a brake on those who need support and medical treatment.
This is the scenario that the New York City Health Department has detected among Hispanics, due in large part to the fact that COVID-19 in the Big Apple ended up hitting already vulnerable immigrant communities the hardest, disproportionately, and the effects are felt.
This was stated by the Health Commissioner of the City of New York. Dr. Ashwin Vasan, after noting that although mental health problems in New York City are not exclusive to one group, Latinos have suffered the effects of serious triggers that have increased some mental conditions that already existed before the pandemic and gave origin of new cases.
The head of the Department of Health of the City of New York highlighted that the suffering that Latino families and individuals went through with the pandemic, not only for having lost loved ones in a devastating way, as occurred in areas of the Bronx with a large Hispanic presence and surrounding Elmhurst Hospital , in Queens, left scars on the mental health of thousands of immigrants.
“None of us has emerged emotionally unscathed from the last two years. Grief, loss, trauma, isolation, fear, racism, mistrust, economic insecurity, violence, and political conflict have all resulted in sharp declines in mental health. And, like COVID itself13, the effects have not been felt equally“, said the Adams Administration official.
“Food, job and housing insecurity, experienced disproportionately by people of color, have compounded the impact of the pandemic on the mental and physical health of too many people. As we navigate through this complicated transition phase of COVID-14, between emergency and endemicity , between the rapid response and recovery, we must recognize that none of us have really had time to heal, breathe out, and figure out how to continue, and just be, in this new world that we are in, “added the doctor.
And despite the fact that the Department of Health has not yet been able to quantify the effect that mental health problems are having on Hispanics, preliminary information shows that depression, anxiety and the lack of medical care for serious mental illnesses are doing their part in the most vulnerable communities such as Hispanics.
Data from the Health authorities show that the 25% of adults in New York reported symptoms of anxiety, according to a survey by the 2021; the 25% of adults confirmed to have symptoms of anxiety, the 18% reported symptoms of depression and it is estimated that more than 100% increased depression compared to 2015. Also, the 28% of adults with children in their households reported emotional or behavioral health problems of at least least one child after the pandemic, and 542 suicides were recorded in the Big Apple in the 2020, of which 121 occurred among Latinos.
Lynda Canchani, administrator of the CONNECT program, recently launched by the Mayor’s Office to address the mental health of New Yorkers, through comprehensive programs with the participation of community organizations, admitted that the mental health of Latinos is at worrying levels, but at the same time stated that there are available resources and support plans, which should be used without fear.
“Mental health is terrible, because everyone where the world suffered. Not only those who lost relatives; all the world. The children in their homes suffered, the parents also suffered, the marriages; everyone suffered and we need to alleviate that pain,” said the official, highlighting that the steps for Hispanics to move forward and recover mentally are already being taken.
“The good in the midst of all this, is that we are getting up, although it has been a little slow. But we have to keep fighting and improving, and little by little we are going to get back on our feet,” said the Puerto Rican, who also insisted that we must fight against the stigma of believing oneself singled out when seeking mental help.
“It is important to say that it does not necessarily mean that one is crazy to receive services, but rather that we must understand that everyone suffers. Sometimes we are bad and we feel sad. Sometimes there is depression, but we have in our community the stigma of believing that one is crazy, or thinking that the person who receives help is crazy. And it’s not like that, it’s a health issue and that’s how you have to look at it,” added the official.
Lainey Pérez, community liaison for the Betances Health Center organization in Lower Manhattan, who works with people with mental and emotional conditions, warns that it is important that health issues mental health is approached from different angles, and that community organizations are also included.
“It is important that people understand that there are places like these, where they feel they can talk freely about how they have been, about how they feel. Talking is the first step, and it is important that they know that we have other emotional support programs that make them feel comfortable and confident,” added Pérez.
The Department of Health did not reveal how many of the 150,000 persons currently estimated to have serious mental illness in all five boroughs are Latino, but confirmed that at least 40% of them are not receiving any type of medical attention, a good part of them Hispanics, which prevents their management or improvement.
Pedro Frisneda, spokesman for the New York City Department of Health, made a called on Latinos in the Big Apple dealing with mental health problems to seek help, and warned that there are initiatives free ivas, which do not require them to have any type of health insurance, and stressed that immigration status is not asked.
“People from New York City, including Latinos, do not need health insurance to access services, programs and treatments. We also do not ask about immigration status. People without insurance, like many undocumented immigrants, can access the NYC Care program, a program for access to health care, which guarantees free and low-cost services,” said Frisneda, warning that they can speak in Spanish.
“All of our mental health programs and services are culturally competent for the Latino culture and all of our facilities and clinics have staff who speak Spanish. In addition, the websites to find information about our mental health services/programs are translated into more than 13 languages, including Spanish”, added the spokesperson for the municipal Health Department.
Furthermore, the official highlighted that there is the NYC Well program, which specifically addresses mental health issues, for which he requested anyone in need to call the “toll free and confidential” mental health support line, where you can talk to a counselor by phone, text or chat, and get access to mental health and substance use services, at more of 200 languages, including Spanish.
Frisneda also highlighted the need to fight against the stigma of going to mental health services, that in the Latino community is still very strong.
“In the Latino community, stigma related to mental health illness is a huge cultural issue that has a devastating effect on people living with mental illness and their families. Many do not seek help due to the stigma associated with their condition and feel afraid and ashamed to talk about any mental health problem they suffer from, be it depression, anxiety or another”, confirmed the representative of the Department of Health.
“But in New York City, Latinos who have a mental health problem or who have a family member or friend who suffers from a mental health problem can call the toll-free NYC Well line and there they can talk with a counselor, anonymously and confidentially”, concluded the official, encouraging them to seek help.
Where to ask for help on mental health issues in NYC?
- The most important program available in the Big Apple for people seeking mental health treatment is NYC Well
- NYC Well has counselors available and people who have had experience with mental health issues to talk with and provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- You can call l 1-768 -NYC-WELL (1-689-542-65173). You can also text the word “WELL” to 65173 or chat online at nyc.gov/nycwell.
- You can get assistance at 113 languages, including Spanish and support is offered regardless of immigration status
- CONNECT is another program that seeks to go further of the traditional clinic and seeks to focus support with the communities
- The City’s B-HEARD pilot program also provides emergency mental health care to people who make crisis calls at 900
- You can also call the line 311 and ask about mental health support programs close to home.
Mental diseases and impact of suicide in figures