Mental Health Patients in a Barrio Health Center

Abstract

Utilization by Mexican Americans of Mental Facilities of a Barrio area neighborhood health center, and demographic and symptom characteristics of this population were investigated. The findings suggest that contrary to other studies this program was able to reach a high risk Mexican American population frequently missed by mental health programs. The barrio location, the relationship to a neighborhood health clinic and a large proportion of Spanish speaking and local personnel, seemed to be factors in this result. The patients tended to be young adult women with marital problems, somatic complaints and depressive symptoms.

Prescriptive group psychotherapy: A successful application in the treatment of low-income Spanish-speaking clients.

“…Several studies of the Mexican-American client led us to expect that the majority of group members would be women; and, that depression, somatic distrubance, and marital concern would comprise the most frequent complaints (Fabrega etal., 1967;Heiman & Kahn, 1974;Normard el at., 1974) The range of presenting complaints m the present client population confirmed this pattern. Table 1 presents that data, together with demographic information for group members.…”

Factors associated with number of treatment interviews of patients from a barrio neighborhood mental health service: A cross‐validation

“…A total of 488 consecutive mental health patients who started treatment during the approximate 4-month period comprised the cross-validation sample. The general demographic characteristics of this center's population have previously been described (Heiman & Kahn, 1975). It is approximately 75% Mexican-American and about 80% female.…”

Ecological and psychocultural mediators in the delivery of services for urban, culturally diverse Hispanic clients.

“…would be very helpful. Where there has been adherence to the concept of “ethnospecificity” (namely, the calibration of treatment plans to specific needs and cultural expectations during service delivery), research by Costantino et al (1986), Delgado & Scott (1979), Edwards, Greene, Abramowitz, and Davidson (1979), Heiman and Kahn (1975), Malgady et al 1990 (a, b), and Szapocznik et al (1978) has demonstrated relatively high and consistent use of psychological services with low levels of attrition and favorable treatment evaluations. The “goodness of fit” principle is invaluable in custom-making treatment plans for urban, underacculturated clients (Rosado, 1983, 1986).…”