According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics are currently the fastest-growing minority group in America. By the year 2050, the Hispanic population is expected to grow to almost three times its current
size, from 46.7 million to 132.8 million.¹ This means nearly one in three people living in the United States will be Hispanic.
 
While the Hispanic population increases, so does the incidence of depression among this population.
According to a study published on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site,² Hispanics suffer disproportionately from depression compared with other ethnic groups. Factors that may contribute to the higher rates of depression include a person’s sex, socioeconomic status, culture and lack of health insurance.
 
An article published by the American Psychological Association (APA)³ indicated that one reason depression may be higher among Hispanics is the language barrier. While many Americans of Hispanic descent speak both Spanish and English, not all are comfortable speaking English 100 percent of the time. Some may also find it hard to fully express their emotions in English or may not feel like they are being understood by their provider. According to the APA, only about one percent of U.S. psychologists
identify themselves as Hispanic.
 
Cultural beliefs and a “family first” mentality may also dissuade some Hispanics from seeking treatment.³ Some may see taking care of oneself as selfish or less important than taking care of the family as a whole. Understanding these values and the importance of the family structure can help you better understand your Hispanic patients.
 
Another reason Hispanics often do not seek treatment for depression is because of the perceived stigma associated with having a mental disorder. Because of their reluctance to seek treatment, Hispanics are more likely to manifest depression’s physical symptoms (e.g., stomach aches, headaches, dizziness or tiredness), which may lead to misdiagnosis.
 
To break down the barriers that prevent this population from seeking care, it is important to become familiar with their culture and responsive to their cultural needs. Familiarizing yourself with the Spanish language can also help you to better understand your patients and lead to a successful outcome in therapy. 

1 U.S. Census Bureau Press Release
2 Centers for Disease Control
3 APA online