Like the virus, coronavirus pandemic psychological stress affects Latin Americans more: a study

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damircudic / iStockLAURA ROMERO, ABC News

(New York)—Experts are wary that coronaviruses can go beyond the physical and fatal damage that hit Americans, with potentially serious consequences for their mental health, especially Latino. Americans are overly affected by viruses.

Research published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Last week, it was revealed that 41% of respondents reported symptoms of trauma-related symptoms, depression, anxiety and other mental disorders.

The study shows that among Hispanic respondents, the prevalence of depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety symptoms is higher. In the case of suicidal ideation, about 18.6% of Hispanic respondents said they had “thought seriously about suicide in the last 30 days.” Black respondents also reported cases of suicidal ideation, relatively high at 15.1%, with 7.9% of white respondents, 6% of Asian respondents, and 9.8% of other races or multiple races. It was the same.

The survey builds on a survey conducted in the last week of June, with more than 5,000 respondents (3,453 whites, 885 Hispanics, 663 blacks, 256 Asians, and other More than 200 respondents of any race or uncertainties) were included.

According to Frederick Sandoval, Executive Director of the National Latino Behavioral Health Association, the CDC study shows that symptoms of mental health conditions include treatment of essential workers, adult unpaid caregivers, and existing mental health conditions. He says that it is biased towards people. ..

“What COVID has already taught us so quickly is why it has so much impact on the Latin community,” Sandoval said. “They do not intend to provide services to the extent possible because of the social determinants that create challenges in terms of limited access to resources, access to transportation, and limited income.”

“What happened, what we’ve seen from a pandemic, has made it very easy to increase the level of stress trauma, anxiety,” Sandoval added. “It puts such emotional pressure on Latin American communities across the country.”

Sandoval told ABC News that parents of a color community that had to balance important worker obligations with full-time education were more likely to experience more psychological distress.

“They’re trying to balance work, family, and school, and many Latino parents can be even more stressed because they’re new to school apps or don’t use Wifi at home Because it has a certain nature, the burden will be further increased.

“The color community is impacted by social congestion, poverty, lack of support, and lack of care,” ABC Tim News Sullivan, MD, chair of psychiatry and behavioral science at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City, told ABC News. I am dealing with it.” All of these contribute to stress on parents.

“Parents must first address the material needs of their families,” Sullivan said. “If you put food on the table or can’t afford to rent, it’s not good to talk to someone about coping skills. We keep them cool to ensure they and their families can survive. We need to find a way to help keep it.”

Sullivan said many limited insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs have impeded access to mental health care services. The CDC survey recommends that community-level interventions and prevention efforts include increased financial support to reduce financial burden.

That the organization National Alliance on Mental Health Diseases (NAMI) Companies such as Better Help and eHome Counseling Group, which offer virtual counseling sessions, are trying to reduce access gaps in mental health care services by offering lower costs and partnering with more insurers. I said that.

“Virtual counseling can help significantly reduce these gaps,” said Brad Bradlex, president and CEO of the eHome counseling group. “The isolation, stress, and uncertainty caused by pandemics have a significant impact on people’s mental health. And our services provide needed treatment to people who normally do not have access to mental health care services. You can receive it.”

Pamela Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Association, said companies need to make sure that they offer culturally-responsive treatments in several languages.

“These communities have already begun with the worst of health insurance shortages and poor access to services,” Greenberg told ABC News. “We need to make sure they have the best and proper treatment.”

For Sandoval, the CDC study is a wake-up call for policy makers to prioritize mental health.

“We just have the tsunami impact of a policy ineffective program and the lack of resources to help those who do not want to be sick.” Sandoval said. “The Latino community has been hit by a pandemic and it’s a pain to see it. We need to change something.”

If you or a loved one is experiencing a suicidal desire, the US Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 1-800-273-8255.

About Mental Health Care Resources NAMI HelpLine is a free, national peer support service that provides information, resource introductions, and support for people in mental health, their families, and caregivers. Call 1-800-950-NAMI or send the text to NAMI at 741741.

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