Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Loveland, Emily

Abstract

This study aims to explore mental health within the Latino community, highlighting the disparities in mental health service utilization and the contributing factors. The key barriers identified include stigma, economic hardships, language barriers, and lack of culturally relevant services, which have disproportionately affected Latinos' access to mental health. The research examines cause-and-effect relationships between interventions and utilization using an explanatory design. Using mixed methods, quantitative and qualitative data is collected to examine participants' knowledge, experiences, and attitudes toward mental health services and their impact on service utilization. Convenience, purposive, and snowball sampling are utilized to recruit 40 participants meeting specific criteria. Data collection will utilize surveys incorporating the Beck Depression Scale and other tailored questions, followed by an intervention that will include either a culturally relevant video or a psychoeducation session. The findings are intended to guide the creation of culturally appropriate interventions to increase access within the Latino community. The significance of this study is to be able to understand the factors that decrease the utilization of mental health services and address the issues to increase utilization. Social workers, led by social justice and ethical practice principles, are important in advocating equitable access to care, addressing health disparities, and empowering vulnerable populations.

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