Newsletter

In honor of National Minority Mental Health Month

“Respect for elders is very important, even in your manner and style of driving on the streets. If you and an elder meet at a point where both of you have right of pass, let the elder go first.” -Unknown

July is a time to make an effort to improve access to mental health care for minority populations.  In recognizing diverse backgrounds, the Spanish speaking culture has a need for a culturally competent provider with an idea of important mental health issues to focus on.  Family loyalty, respect for elders, or expectations on gender norms are issues for education so the program can be community- based and inclusive.  The idea is to reach out and serve the needs in an effort to improve mental health outcomes.   

Family loyalty or familismo is a cultural value that is significant in mental health.  Family members are a beneficial support for a person experiencing illness; therefore, the family needs to understand how to help them.  Claudia Maffucci, QMHP, works with Spanish speaking clients and she educates them about mental health.  Claudia says, “In the past I have helped family members understand mental illness through education.  Educating them that mental illness is not like treating a physical illness.  I have guided them to understand that in our cultures there has been a tremendous delay in education and understanding mental illness and how it is viewed negatively and framing someone as ‘crazy.’ I have encouraged people to be a part of their loved one’s treatment plan and to be open to new information.”  

Respeto connotes respect for elders.  Claudia illustrates how words in the Spanish language reiterate this important concept.  She explains, “a good way to show respect to an elder [is] the way I learned it when growing up was that in Central America we either use the word ‘vos’ or ‘tu’ which means ‘you’ and that word is usually used for people around the same age group or younger.  The word ‘usted’ is a word that delivers respectful intentions.  So when referring to an elder I would always refer to the using the word ‘usted’ instead of the word ‘tu’ or ‘vos.’  Another way is not speaking over them.  When referring to the word ‘señor or señora’ depending on their gender.  And being mindful about helping them make their life easier as they have already used their youth to help us become healthy adults.  If being somewhere always allowing the elders to go forth in line, giving up your seat for them.”      

The idea of machismo where gender norms discourage men from expressing vulnerability may be a barrier to seeking treatment.  Claudia describes about this topic, “I once dealt with someone that had negative views about counseling.  I educated him about viewing it as something that is a tool rather than a weakness and gave him [with] an example about construction which was his line of work and how important it is to use different tools for specific types of work.  Anyways, he seemed receptive.  I assured him that in this culture, seeking counseling is viewed as something very normal.  In the end, I don’t know if he ended up seeking counseling services.   He was a temporary client that had a court order for anger management from court, and I was working under the supervision of an LMHP” [in counseling].  Thus, the idea of a gender norm may have had an influence on his decision about getting help with his anger management.  

Cultural competence determines better mental health outcomes.  According to the National Institute on Health, having cultural competence improves communication, increases trust, and improves treatment efficacy as well as the understanding of the patient’s environment.  It is good for preventive care health screening for the purpose of early intervention and treatment.   The result is better health status and satisfaction.  Overall, cultural competency helps decrease disparities in health care access and quality. 

Overall, the Spanish speaking culture has mental health virtues, such as familismo and respect for elders, that can be supportive for the client in recovery.  This may be as simple as education to the family or using respectful language.  A downside could be a gender norm where expectations go against getting psychological help.  Cultural competency is important in these factors to achieve better access and quality of care. 

Brach, C. & Fraser, I. (2016, November 3). Reducing Disparities through Culturally Competent Health Care: An Analysis of the Business Case.  NIH National Library of Medicine.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5094358/

     

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💡NRV SPOTLIGHT 💡

America’s 250th Anniversary with Freedom 5K and 1-Mile Walk

Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary on Saturday, July 4, 2026, by participating in the Freedom 5K and 1-Mile Walk at the Carroll Wellness Center, located at 164 Carter Pines Lane in Hillsville. The family-friendly event will bring the community together for a morning of fitness and patriotism as participants honor the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. Children ages 12 and under can participate in both the 5K and 1-Mile Walk free of charge, although youth participants will not be officially timed.

Pre-registration for the event is $25, while day-of registration will be available for $35. Online registration, which accepts card payments only, closes on July 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Cash and check payments must be made in person at the Carroll Wellness Center front desk. Day-of registration opens at 8 a.m., with packet pick-up taking place from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Announcements for the 1-Mile Walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the start of the walk at 8:35 a.m. The Freedom 5K announcements will begin at 9 a.m., and runners will take off at 9:05 a.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female finishers, as well as the top three male and female finishers in each age group, including ages 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and older. Participants who register by June 19, 2026, are guaranteed an event T-shirt, pending confirmation from the shirt company. The Freedom 5K and 1-Mile Walk offers a unique opportunity for community members of all ages to celebrate Independence Day, stay active, and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

For online registration, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTAwqNQgpXPUuu_-EnZMU26AiEtN98sj1gt0Amf-9tqiYNQg/viewform?usp=dialog.

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