Confronting the Mental Health Stigma in Hispanic Culture

For many in the Hispanic community, growing up with unspoken rules about emotional pain can be the norm. You might have heard things like “We don’t talk about this outside our family.” You may have been pressured to keep your mental health struggles private. Despite what your family may have taught you, though, mental health isn’t a taboo topic. If you’ve struggled, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you’re weak. 

Mental health stigma in Hispanic culture can leave you feeling isolated and ashamed, but you don’t deserve that. If you’re looking to break the generational trauma that Hispanic views on mental health have caused, keep reading. 

We’re giving you the tools, language, and hope you need to prioritize your mental well-being. Read on to learn about the cultural roots of stigma in the Latinx community, how it can show up in your life, what it will cost you, and what healing looks like.

Why the Stigma Runs Deep

Many factors contribute to the Hispanic mental health stigma​. Cultural values, historical mistrust of the mental health system, religion, and fear of judgment all play a role. Understanding more about where stigma comes from is the first step in breaking down the barriers for Latinx families.

Cultural values

Mental health stigma in Hispanic culture doesn’t come out of nowhere—it’s rooted in long-standing cultural values and belief systems that shape how people view strength, suffering, and support. 

Familismo: Putting family first

In Hispanic culture, the idea of “familismo” runs deep. The belief that family loyalty comes before anything, even your own needs, can prevent you from getting help when you need it. You might feel pressured to stay strong for others. You may have been taught not to shame your family by admitting you need help. 

Machismo and gender expectations

Machismo culture is another value in Hispanic belief systems. It’s the belief that men should be strong and stoic, that they’re leaders who can never show vulnerability. If you’re a Hispanic man, you might have been taught to “tough it out” or told you should hide your emotions, even if that means suffering in silence. For Hispanic women, the expectation to be a caretaker is just as strong. In this belief system, women should put their own needs last, even when it comes to their mental health. 

Fatilismo: A sense of powerlessness

One more common theme in Hispanic culture is fatalismo, or the belief that you don’t have control over life or your circumstances. There’s a sense that suffering is inevitable, so you should just accept it. Hispanic culture teaches that “this is just how life is,” which contributes to inaction because you feel like getting help won’t make a difference anyway. 

Belief systems like these can help you cope at times, but they can also make it incredibly difficult to ask for help. They make it seem like things can’t and won’t ever change. If you’ve grown up under these ideologies, it can feel very risky to seek support outside your family. 

Admitting you need help—and then asking for it—isn’t selfish, dramatic, or disloyal. These are learned responses, not personal failings. Suppressing your emotions won’t help you heal. 

Historical distrust of mental health systems

According to studies, only 35% of Hispanic adults get the mental health treatment they need each year (compared to the U.S. average of 46%). There are many reasons why you might feel nervous about seeking mental health care. It makes sense to be wary, especially if your family history includes discrimination, if language barriers have made getting care difficult, or if you have immigration trauma. You might even feel judged by providers who have a different background from you. 

Mental health in Hispanic culture struggles often stem from a deep mistrust of the healthcare system. Research indicates that the causes of distrust in healthcare systems are widespread. Concerns about legal status, language barriers, or being misdiagnosed can explain why so many Hispanic people fear seeking care. From cultural bias to lack of bilingual providers, to disparities in access, it can be hard to find a mental healthcare professional you trust and are comfortable being vulnerable with. 

“Historically, the healthcare system has failed Hispanic clients through language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and limited access to equitable care; rebuilding trust begins with culturally competent providers who listen, advocate, and deliver care that honors our community’s values and lived experiences.”

– Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, PhD, LCSW-S

Religion and spirituality

For many people in the Hispanic community, faith is a source of comfort, but it can also be a barrier to care in some cases. If you were taught to “pray it away,” you heard that God is the answer for every type of struggle, or you learned that therapy doesn’t align with your spiritual beliefs, asking for help can be hard. 

Your faith and spirituality can be a powerful place that offers support, but going to therapy doesn’t mean you’re questioning or betraying your religious beliefs. Spirituality and professional mental health help can coexist. You’re not rejecting your faith at any level. 

Fear of judgment

It’s normal to worry about being judged after admitting you need help. You might be afraid of being labeled “crazy,” or worry you’ll be seen as dramatic when you talk about your mental health. You might even worry about gossip—el qué dirán—and what others might say about your family. The pressure to protect your family’s image can cause you to hide your struggles so you don’t embarrass or shame those you love. 

These are real social pressures and can hinder your desire to get help. If you want to reach out for support but are scared, you’re not alone. Hispanic views on mental health affect many people, but don’t let being afraid stop you. 

What the Mental Health Stigma Costs the Hispanic Community

Mental health stigma is damaging. It can prevent you from getting the help you desperately need. It causes fear and shame and uses control to keep you stuck. However, when you understand the cost of not seeking help, you can become more open to breaking through those barriers. 

Emotional suppression and chronic stress

Growing up in an environment where emotions aren’t discussed teaches you to bottle up your feelings. Maybe you became the “strong one” in your family. You always put others first, even when you’re in pain. Over time, this type of emotional suppression can cause chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems. 

“Generational silence around mental health often leaves younger family members feeling confused, isolated, and ashamed of their emotions, preventing them from seeking the support they need to heal and thrive.”

– Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, PhD, LCSW-S

Undiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions

Undiagnosed and misdiagnosed conditions are not uncommon in the Hispanic community. Therapy stigmas and other barriers to care often mean going years without recognizing or managing mental health conditions that are very treatable. Studies show that Hispanics are about half as likely as non-Hispanic whites to use mental health services. This means a diagnosis and treatment plan might not be made, delaying treatment and healing. 

Research also shows that Hispanic people are more likely to see a primary care doctor instead of an experienced mental health professional, increasing the possibility of a misdiagnosis. You might be living with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma without a clear understanding of why. 

Without proper support, conditions like depression and anxiety can become increasingly difficult to manage. 

Intergenerational trauma

Growing up in a home where parents or grandparents lived through trauma like migration, discrimination, or poverty can have a devastating impact on your views of mental health. These pressures can also contribute to first-generation immigrant stress. You might start to notice patterns you picked up, such as being silent, feeling fearful, or putting up walls that create distance within your family. You may even realize you’re repeating some of their behaviors, often without understanding why. 

The burdens you might carry that stem from intergenerational trauma can affect more than just your mental health. It can put stress on your relationships, your parenting, and your sense of self. Therapy can help you break these unhealthy cycles. It can also enable you to forgive and give yourself permission to heal. 

What You Can Do (Even If It Feels Hard)

This isn’t always an easy road. Healing from stigma and generational pain isn’t about fixing everything all at once. Taking small but meaningful steps, at your own pace, will help. 

For instance, you can:

• Start the conversation with your family: You don’t have to immediately get into deep discussions about mental health. Try gently making small comments like “I’ve been feeling really stressed lately” or “I’ve been thinking about talking to somebody.” Statements like these can open the door for a bigger conversation later.
• Discreetly seek therapy: It’s OK if you’re not ready to tell your family about what you’re feeling. You can seek therapy on your own, and the process is entirely confidential. Consider the benefits of online therapy, which many therapists offer as a more private and flexible option. Start by looking for someone who understands Hispanic culture, and remember that reaching out for help is a courageous act. It’s not a betrayal of your family.
• Recognize when someone needs more support: Learning to take care of your own mental health teaches you to notice changes in others who might need help. If someone you care about seems withdrawn, more irritable than normal, or has lost interest in things they used to enjoy, don’t be afraid to talk to them. Check in with safe statements like “you seem down lately, do you want to talk?” Sometimes knowing someone cares can make a huge difference, and you can be part of that.
• Take baby steps: Change can be difficult and uncomfortable. It may even feel scary at first. This doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Every step you take, from starting a conversation to researching mental health to seeking support, matters.

“I remind my Hispanic clients that seeking therapy is a powerful act of self-love, not weakness—and that they deserve a safe space where their culture is respected, their voice is heard, and their healing truly begins.”

– Talkspace therapist Cynthia Catchings, PhD, LCSW-S

Break the Stigma with Culturally Competent Therapy

Taking care of your mental health doesn’t mean abandoning your culture. You’re making space to grow in your life. You’re learning how to care about yourself and others, and you’re finding new ways to support your mental health needs as a member of the Latinx community. Culturally sensitive therapy can be an instrumental part of your healing process. It respects your values, language, and lived experiences. Find a provider who understands the beauty, strengths, and challenges of the Hispanic community. They can help you navigate your mental health journey with experience and compassion.

Talkspace connects you with therapists who are trained to honor your cultural background. They can provide the support you need, whether you’re ready to dive in now or you just want to learn more. Healing is possible, and if you’re ready to learn more about how to overcome Hispanic mental health stigma​, reach out to get started with online therapy from Talkspace.