Mental Health Stigma Among Hispanic and Haitian Immigrant Parents and Storytelling Approaches to Reduce Stigma

• In Event: Culture and Mental Health Stigma: Communication as Barrier and Bridge Across Generations

Abstract

Cultural stigma is a significant barrier for Latino and Haitian immigrant parents and grandparents to access mental health services for their children. Studies conducted over a three-year period examined these barriers using a culturally competent communication approach generating dialogue to reduce the stigma and increase access to mental health services within these two communities. These studies identified religious, social, structural and world-view related beliefs that reinforced stigma of mental illness and mental health services. Borrowing from the CBPR (community-based participatory research) methodology, a graphic novel (fotonovela) for Latino families and radio stories for the Haitians families were developed collaboratively with members of the communities. The stories identified and challenged stigmatized beliefs, promoted self-reflections, and examined how the cultural barriers are also exacerbated by the intergenerational communication gap. The presentation will describe the process of developing the story-telling approaches to stigma reduction, and the preliminary evaluation of these strategies to change stigmatized beliefs ad promote use of culturally competent mental health services when needed. Results of an evaluation study comparing story-telling approach to a traditional myths versus reality format will also be presented.

Authors

• Lorene Bauduy, Federation of Families - Miami-Dade County

• Maria Elena Villar, Florida International U