Salinas, Caraveo, Cárdenas, Napolitano Introduce Bill to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Latino Youth

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), and Grace Napolitano (CA-31) introduced the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act, which would establish a national awareness and outreach campaign to improve mental health outcomes among Hispanic and Latino youth.

“Growing up in a Latino household, we never talked about trauma or unhealthy family dysfunction. It was only once I got older and saw my sister and other family members struggling with their mental health that I knew we needed to do better as a community,” said Rep. Salinas. “Persistent stigma, cultural differences, and language barriers are some of the key reasons why Latino youth aren’t getting the care they need. Our new bill would address those challenges head on, creating a national awareness campaign that would empower Latino youth and equip them with the resources they need to take control of their mental health.”

“As the first Latina doctor to serve in Congress, I understand the uphill battles that young Latinos face,” said Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, MD (CO-08). “The unique challenges that our communities face require unique solutions. This bill would help break the language and cultural barriers that have separated young Latinos from the mental health care services needed for far too long and support efforts to destigmatize mental healthcare among Latinos.”

“Mental Health Awareness Month brings focus to a vital issue that affects millions of Americans living with mental health conditions” said Congressman Tony Cárdenas. “Yet so many underserved communities still lack basic resources and treatment, and deal with cultural stigmas that prevent them from seeking help. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the introduction of the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act as we strive to break down barriers for young Latinos by raising awareness through targeted outreach campaigns and increase overall access to care with the hope, they feel supported and empowered.” 

Very few Latino youth receive clinical or school-based mental health treatment and services. However, about 78% of Latino youth reported experiencing at least one adverse mental health event in childhood, and they were 60% more likely to report poor mental health compared to their peers. Additionally, at least 37% of Hispanic/Latino youth have reported symptoms of depression, and 22% have seriously considered suicide. To tackle these issues, there must be increased awareness and outreach directed at Latino youth about the importance of mental health, in addition to parents, family members, caregivers, and school personnel that work with the community.

Specifically, the Latino Youth Mental Health Empowerment Act would:

• Develop a culturally and linguistically-competent awareness campaign that would increase awareness of symptoms and prevalence among Hispanic/Latino youth, factors driving mental illness in the Hispanic/Latino community, address stigma in the community, and increase awareness of screening, intervention, and treatment options;
• Develop a culturally and linguistically-competent outreach campaign that would create and distribute mental health resources, host in-person and virtual mental health workshops, provide youth mental health first aid training to parents, caregivers, and school personnel, and provide mental health screenings and on-site consultations at schools and community centers;
• Conduct a study and report on the Hispanic/Latino youth mental health crisis, including on awareness and utilization of the 988 Lifeline and availability of mobile crisis care teams and;
• Conduct a study and report on the Hispanic/Latino mental health workforce, including strategies on how to improve recruitment and retention of such providers.

As Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus and one of the first Latinas elected to Congress from Oregon, Rep. Salinas has championed several initiatives aimed at improving access to mental health care for Latinos. In addition to this legislation, she is a cosponsor of the Mental Health for Latinos Act, which would help reduce stigma around seeking mental health care in the Latino community, and the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act, which would break down barriers to mental health access among youth of color. Rep. Salinas has also publicly highlighted the mental health needs of Latinos through her weekly “Mental Health Monday” initiative.

Click here for bill text.

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