ATTC Messenger, August 2014 - ATTC Network
September 2014 A good opportunity to celebrate and to achieve health equity for Hispanics Digmarie A. Alicea-Santana, PhD
Poduct Planning and Development Coordinator
National Hispanic and Latino ATTC The National Hispanic and Latino ATTC gladly celebrates the National Hispanic Heritage Month, commemorates the 25th National Recovery Month, and invites you to the upcoming National Conference in Austin, October 8-9, 2014. National Hispanic Heritage Month was instituted in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to celebrate the long and important presence of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. Hispanics and Latinos are an ethnic and racially diverse population that makes up the largest minority group in the United States. This population is represented in a wide variety of occupations and every day is contributing more to the American society, economy and to the primary care and behavioral health fields. Among racial and ethnic groups, Hispanics account for the largest share of the uninsured. As of 2011, 15.5 million nonelderly Hispanics were uninsured, including 12.6 million adults and nearly 3 million children (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2013). Lack of health insurance is one of many health disparities that Latinos face every day. Numerous researchers and authors have stated that Latinos are among the ethnic groups least likely to receive quality mental health care (Bustamante, et al., 2009) that Spanish-speaking individuals with severe mental illness receive less mental health services than English-speaking individuals with similar disorders (Barrio et al., 2003) and that language barriers are among the most commonly cited problems in Latino’s utilization of behavioral health and recovery support services (Acosta, 2013).
From the research perspective, other health disparities include insufficient epidemiological data for mental illness and other biosychosocial issues and inadequate representation of Hispanics in treatment research (especially in randomized clinical trials). From the services perspective, incomplete assessments that fail to take into consideration culture and context; biases, assumptions, and stereotypes held by providers, and misdiagnosis (Torres, 2013). From the educational perspective, disparities are related to a lack of inclusion of cultural awareness and competence courses in undergraduate and graduate curriculums. Hispanics also face barriers to access adequate and quality services, mistrust, systems of care poorly designed to meet the needs of diverse client populations, poor communication between providers and patients of different ethnic backgrounds and institutional racism that keep this population underserved.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (observed from September 15 to October 15) in conjunction with the observance of Recovery Month is an opportunity to recognize Hispanic and Latino contributions, influence, and presence in the US; to celebrate their powerful heritage; to cherish their rich culture, and to acknowledge the millions of Hispanics whose lives have been transformed through recovery. It also brings the opportunity to recognize that many disparities need to be overcome and to reassert our commitment to provide competent behavioral health and recovery support services. Recovery Month is a national observance to promote education and the recognition that treatment and recovery support services can enable people with behavioral health needs to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Every single day, and throughout this month, the workforce must work to highlight that recovery belongs to
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ATTC Messenger, August 2014 - ATTC Network everyone and recovery is also possible for Hispanics and Latinos. Providing culturally competent services help Hispanics and Latinos “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up and Reach Out”. This is of upmost importance because this population often has low rates of behavioral health service utilization. Culturally competent practices may have a profound impact on treatment access, adherence, and outcomes (Andres-Hyman et al, 2006) and during the recovery journey. The National Hispanic and Latino ATTC is committed to the development of the workforce serving Hispanics and Latinos in need of behavioral health treatment and recovery support services. This is why our National Conference “Integrating Research, Education, and Services to Reduce Behavioral Health Disparities in Hispanic and Latino Populations” presents an opportunity for providers to learn about the latest evidence-based information and promising practices to serve the Hispanic and Latino population and to improve their wellbeing. The Conference will benefit participants as it promotes an understanding of the disparities in services to Hispanic and Latino populations in need for access to quality substance abuse and mental health treatment. In the process, the Conference will also promote the achievement of system transformation. Disparities will be addressed through research, education and service models combined with science based knowledge in an educational structure and environment. This Conference includes a cadre of presenters representing different areas of knowledge who are affiliated to renowned organizations and higher education institutions which have shown leadership in the behavioral health field. Each presenter will incorporate the Conference objectives to their curriculums to ensure that participants gain the knowledge expected for experts in the behavioral health field. After attending the conference, participants will be able to 1) enhance understanding of current social, economic, political factors contributing to behavioral health disparities in Hispanic and Latino populations; 2) strengthen the substance use and mental health treatment workforce by building skills in the practical application of evidence-based practices in real world settings, and 3) increase awareness of novel, promising, and culturally appropriate approaches to addressing behavioral health disparities in Hispanic and Latino populations. Let us take advantage of the opportunity for observance and commemoration that this month offers, and let us celebrate diversity, integration, and collaboration to promote recovery and wellness. We look forward to meeting you at our National Conference to continue our partnerships and achieve our primary goal: health equity for everyone.
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