With the media and community at large discussing the fact that Federal Marshall shooting victim Rigoberto Alpizar may have been suffering from Bipolar Disorder , a recent study looking at how Depression is treated in Latinos is especially timely. The study released this month by the American Psychiatric Association reveals that Latinos were less likely than whites to receive care for depression and when they received care, the care was below the minimum guidelines. According to the study this could not be explained by differences in age , educational levels or employment status or even if those that participated in the study were being seen in clinics that served mostly Latinos or not. The recent study points that patient and/or provider factors could be behind the differences in treatment.

Latinos need to get over the stigma that mental illness has and be honest about their mental health so that they can receive appropriate treatment and providers need to make sure that they are providing culturally competent and equal care to their Latino patients.

Via / The American Psychiatric Association