1. University of Texas - Pan American
The development of this learning module was made possible through a Gero Innovations Grant from the CSWE Gero-Ed Center’s Master’s Advanced Curriculum (MAC) Project and the
John A. Hartford Foundation.
Mental Health
in Older Latinos
University of Texas - Pan American
Funded by Master’s Advanced Curriculum Project
University of Texas at Arlington

2. Latino Numbers in the U.S: True/False
Latinos are the smallest minority group in the U.S.
Latinos are only those people who are from Mexico.
Latinos are the fastest growing minority group in the U.S.
True False
True False
True False

3. Latino Numbers in the U.S.
Latinos are estimated to be at million as of July 1, 2006 — 14.8% of the total U.S. population.
This reflects a 3.4% increase between July 2005, and July 2006 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2007).

4. Theories of Underutilizing Mental Health Care by Older Latinos
Language
Self-reliant Attitude
Religious Beliefs
Attitudes toward Mental Health Services
(Vega & Alegria, 2001; Ortega & Alegria, 2002; Smart & Smart, 1991; Torrey, 1972)

5. Theories of Underutilizing Mental Health Care by Older Latinos (cont.)
Unfamiliarity with Mental Health Services
Current Practices
Familismo
Machismo
Respect
(Karno, Ross, & Caper,1969; Vega & Alegria, 2001; Barrera & Jordan, 2009, in review)

6. Manifestation of Mental Illnesses in Older Latinos
Nervios
Mal de ojo
Susto
Espanto
Miedo
(Barrera & Cavazos, 2009, in review)

7. The Use of Folk Healers in Older Latinos
curandero (folk healer)
espiritista (spirit medium)
(Barrera & Cavazos, 2009, in review)

8. Assessment Tools For Older Latinos
Culturagram
Reasons for relocation
Legal status
Time in community
Language spoken at home and in the community
Health beliefs
Crisis events
Holidays and special events
Contact with cultural and religious institutions
Values about education and work
Values about family–structure, power, myths, and rules
(Congress, E. 2004)

9. Assessment Tools For Older Latinos
The Alternative Lenses of Assessment
Situational-Environmental Lens
A Developmental-Adaptive Lens
Sociocultural Lens
A Political-Economic Lens
A Neuro-Biological Lens
Satterly, B. , 2007.

10. Assessing Mental Illness in Older Latinos
Alonzo is a 65 year old Mexican-American. He is married and has 8 children ranging from ages years old. He states that he has been suffering from the following symptoms for several years: shaking, dizziness, and feelings of wanting to faint, heart trembles, chest pains, and having difficulty breathing. He also states that sometimes he feel as if he is going to die.

11. Assessing Mental Illness in Older Latinos
Maria is a 71 year old Mexican. She lives alone and is a widow of seven years. She claims that at night she sees and speaks with her deceased husband whom she was married to for 57 years. Her doctor believes she may be suffering from schizophrenia and wants to prescribe her medications.

12. Acceptable Interventions for Older Latinos
Cognitive Theory
(Jani, Ortiz and Aranda, 2009)

13. Developing Trust in Older Latinos: Understanding Personalismo
(Choca,1979)

14. Developing Trust in Older Latinos: Steps
A relationship is more important than tackling a problem.
Questions be sensitive and non-intrusive.
Social workers are encouraged to ask brief questions
surrounding what is important to them.
Social workers should allow the elder Latinos feel as if they are the expert.
Praise should be given to their accomplishments; this does not have to be awards, educational, or money achievements, rather the ability to raise a large family on minimum wage.

15. Final Quiz Latinos are the largest minority group in the U.S.
Latinos may be from Puerto Rico.
Latinos are the slowest growing minority group in the U.S.
Older Latinos utilize mental health care the same as other groups.
Older Latinos may manifest mental health illness like everyone else.
Older Latinos may use folk healing to deal with their emotional problems.
True False
True False
True False
True False
True False
True False