Latino Community Health Workers: Meeting their Community’s Emotional Needs in Intuitively Culturally Appropriate Ways

Authors: Martha Lucia Garcia, Lorena Sprager, Elizur Bello Jiménez

In this qualitative study, researchers sought to assess the role of CHWs in providing mental health services to Latinos in Oregon, United States. Focus group discussions were conducted with 92 CHWs in three Oregon communities. Researchers explored participants’ experiences with providing mental health services in their communities, including what additional training and support is needed, among other topics. Researchers found that CHWs are essential in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services to Latino communities. However, CHWs often lack the necessary training, supervision, and managerial support to successfully provide care. The results of this study highlight a need for more targeted support for CHWs involved in such mental health programs.