Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the community and is responsible for a significant amount of disability. According to epidemiological and primary care studies, Latinos suffer from depression at high rates. This paper examines in depth Latinos' conceptions of depression and their attitudes towards and expectations of mental health treatment. The aim of this paper is to summarize several qualitative studies examining Latinos' cultural understandings of mental health in general and depression in particular, as well as to obtain information about the barriers to care that this community experienced. The results are a compilation of findings from four different research projects in New Jersey and New York that examined diverse Latinos' conceptions of mental health, treatment and barriers to care. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2006.

Attitudes towards treatment Barriersto care Depression Immigration Latinos

New Jersey cultural anthropology depression immigrant mental health service mental health human middle aged controlled study priority journal Aged Mental Health Services Hispanic Americans mental health care United States Humans Hispanic New York male female qualitative analysis cultural factor patient education Article help seeking behavior major clinical study adult health care access patient attitude research Emigration and Immigration health care availability attitude to health Focus Groups