Perspectives of Mexican-American Females Using Mental Health Services for Depression

Background and Purpose:

The rate of depression in our youth is increasing alarmingly. This is concerning since adolescence is a critical period of development, with our youth reaching adulthood and independent decision-making. Some ethnic groups are more at risk for depression and related mental health problems. Latinos have been identified as being at high-risk for mental health problems, specifically for depression. Research focuses on reasons why Latinos underutilize mental health services. We are lacking research examining effective mental health care use. Hence, this study focuses on the experiences of individuals who are being helped for their mental health problems. Inquiring about Mexican-American females’ perceptions of and experiences with mental health service in community mental health clinics may help policymakers and service providers better understand and serve individuals with depression. 

Methods:

An ethnographic approach was used to uncover the phenomenon of what it is like to receive mental health care services, specifically for Mexican-American females using services to treat their depression. Twelve open-ended, in-depth, ethnographic interviews were conducted with females seeking care for their diagnosed depression at two participating mental health clinics in Los Angeles County. The interviews took approximately one hour each to complete. To ensure a focused interview, an interview guide was used. Using an inductive top-down data analysis procedure, patterns and themes were identified. Categories were developed that summarized the data and conveyed the most common themes and patterns.

Results:

A total of four categories of perceptions and experiences were identified among the participants. Importance of care, need for care and medication, care after a crisis, and care leading to mental health education were most expressed. Patients who continue to receive care shared that they perceive the use of mental health services as important and that their experiences using these services have been helpful to them because they need the services (including medication) to live a better life. It was common for them to share that they began to receive care after their depression had affected their daily activities (e.g., once fired and requiring unemployment assistant). Some patients described that before receiving care they did not know what was happening to them, or why they were the ones suffering. Furthermore, all participants were taking medication and emphasized the importance of taking medication in order to cope with depression. Some shared that it took time for them to find the right medication due to side effects but once they had the right medication they noticed a difference.

Conclusions and Implications:

This study provides examples of Mexican-American females who suffer from depression and perceive the use of services as valuable, these examples may be useful to share with those who are underutilizing services or have a negative perspective about taking needed medication. Social workers and other mental health advocates need to empower individuals who suffer from depression and are not receiving care to seek help and understand the importance of receiving mental health care from mental health specialists.