Challenges Faced by Mexican Americans when Accessing Mental Health Care Service Utilization along the South Texas – Mexico border

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the challenges Mexican Americans face when accessing mental health care service utilization along the South Texas-Mexico border. Disparities in access and use of health and mental health services have led Latinos to be disproportionately represented among those most at-risk for chronic health and mental health illnesses and less likely to receive guideline congruent care. Research on mental health service utilization has documented the presence of economic, cultural, and structural barriers that contribute to the underutilization of health services by Latinos. Researchers conducted three focus groups with 25 mental health providers in the South Texas-Mexico border region. Researchers followed a semi-structured question list and probed for detail from group participants. Kleinman’s Explanatory Model [1] guided the question list. The researchers used ethnographic content analysis to analyze the transcripts. Providers reported several challenges when it came to accessing mental health services. The challenges included limited access to insurance, minimal knowledge of mental health, lack of family involvement, few providers, medication management, stigma, and culture.