Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Emily Loveland
Abstract
Being faced with a lack of awareness of mental health in the Latino community has brought much attention to the reasons why Latinos lack treatment or choose not to get treated. In Latino culture, mental health is a construct of society, a label applied to justify not being able to function, work, or be present. For many Latinos who experience mental health problems, getting treatment is critical. However, there are several obstacles to overcome, one of which is the stigma associated with mental health and how it is viewed in the Latino community. In Latino communities, stigma sometimes involves associating mental illness with having a weak character. This study will help shed insight on the current barriers and possible solutions to the problem. A qualitative method is proposed for the study's design to better understand participants' perceptions and ideas about mental health, as well as the barriers they face. A semi-structured interviews will be performed in this study, using ten open ended questions about their understanding and beliefs on mental health and the barriers from accessing treatment.
Recommended Citation
Toraya, Noemi, "Mental Health Stigma and Barriers Among The Latino Community" (2026). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 2498.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/2498