U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra recently called on more Latino families to  consider proactively addressing mental health to overcome the structural and cultural barriers that have hampered the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, according to a report in The Hill.

A March report by UnidosUS, the country's largest Latino human rights organization, found that:

●       Nearly a third of Latino youth reported that their mental health was mostly or always poor (including stress, anxiety and depression) in 2021.

●   One of the largest increases in suicide death rates in the period from 2010 to 2020 occurred among Latinos (27%), more than double the increase among non-Latino whites.

●  Latino mothers are more likely to struggle with postpartum depression at much higher rates than non-Latino women (up to 40 percent more likely, according to one survey).

The report further noted that suicide death rates between 2019 and 2020 declined overall, however, the rate among Latino men increased by 5.7 percent. In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Latinos aged 15 to 34.

Xavier Becerra spoke on the subject at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities' annual forum on Hispanic higher education.

“I know nine out of ten Americans are saying we’re facing a mental health crisis. It’s probably more intense in our communities that are disenfranchised, that are communities of color, because they’re gonna get the services last, and often least”, Becerra told the attendees.

While Becerra noted that cultural barriers affect the rates at which many Hispanics seek mental health care, he said the main issue is access, according to The Hill.

“There are many places where it is [available], including some of the community health centers, federally qualified community health centers, many of the different medical facilities will offer it, especially if you’re insured there. If you’re not insured, you can still get some of the care”.

Becerra said that to solve the problem, his department needs more resources and authorities, but also noted that mental health care has especially benefited from the telehealth lessons learned during the COVID pandemic. However, the rise of telehealth during the pandemic could be halted soon, Becerra said, if Congress does not extend pandemic-related telehealth measures.

“Congress has passed measures that have given us a temporary extension of those flexibilities and telehealth, but they will expire at the end of 2024. If they expire and Congress doesn’t do anything, it’s going to be tough to be able to offer those telehealth services”.