Latinx & Hispanic
Though Latinx people experience substance abuse at a lower rate than the population average, there are significant differences in the rate of treatment-seeking individuals when compared to other ethnicities. We have compiled several dozen resources to support recovery and help Latinx individuals get the necessary help.
Addiction & Mental Health Support
The United States population consists of 18.3% Hispanic people. and 16% of the Hispanic population reported struggling with a mental illness in the past year. Though these numbers are striking, there is an unwillingness to seek professional treatment. And unfortunately, untreated mental health issues are one of the leading causes of substance abuse. Cultural and religious beliefs have caused a negative attitude when it comes to mental health in the Latinx community. Because of this, many people choose suffering over professional help. Not to mention there is a lack of mental health services available in many Hispanic communities.
The rate for drug use disorder within the last year among Latinx people stands at 6.6%. This may be lower than the total population average of 7.4%. However, there are distinct differences when it comes to treatment provided to members of the Latinx community. Studies show these communities have less access to treatment, and poorer outcomes of program success. The latter can be attributed in large part to a lack of accessibility to culturally competent care. Though more importance is being placed on individual cultures within the mental health community, there is still much more that needs to be done with regards to access to care and improved treatment conditions.
Spanish-Speaking Crisis Hotlines
Al-Anon and Ala-teen Information Phone
1-888-425-2666 Counselors provide support to adolescents and adults adversely affected by addiction and offer group therapy resources for ongoing support.
1-800-662-4357 English / Spanish-speaking counselors facilitate referrals to treatment centers, support groups, and community services.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 Call this hotline in times of crisis and they can help talk you through issues and refer local treatment centers that may be able to provide further care.
En Espanol: 1-888-628-9454
1-800-448-3000 – Can interpret over 140 languages; it also has a “telecommunications device for the deaf” (TDD) for the hearing and speech impaired at 1-800-448-1833.
Call 855-378-4873 or text 55753 – Counselors offer support and training and will direct you to the best course of action and provide local treatment resources.
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Call 1-510-465-1984 – An organization working to defend and expand the rights of all immigrants and refugees, regardless of immigration status.
Substance Abuse Resources
SAMHSA’s national campaign for the prevention of underage drinking helps parents and caregivers to start the conversation with their children about the dangers of alcohol.
Alcohol and Depression: Jorge’s Journey to a Better Life
A Spanish-language fotonovela from SAMHSA that educates readers about co-occurring substance use and mental disorders as well as their treatment.
Substance Abuse in the Latinx Community
A podcast from Latinx Therapy that features Genesis Games, LMHC. She shares her knowledge of alcohol abuse, how it is defined, the effects it has on the individual and the family, the myths behind it in Latinx culture, and the best way to support someone with this issue.
A nonprofit group producing online content that shares holistic approaches to recovery that center on healing the mind, body, and spirit with the Black and Latinx experiences at the center.
General Mental Health Resources
The Anxiety & Depression Association of America provides a great number of mental health resources available in both Spanish and English.
National Latino Behavioral Health Association
This organization acts as a voice for the Latino communities in America and shares stories of being Latino in America, overcoming adversity, and a wide range of other Latino-specific topics.
An organization that is working to remove the stigma of mental healthcare in the Latinx community and make conversations about therapy more accessible to Latinxs.
This holistic healing organization provides creative and spiritual outlets that aim to encourage healing, improve wellness, and improve mental health.
The Latinx Mental Health Podcast
This podcast works to highlight the importance of mental health among Latinx communities.
A blog site that provides a range of helpful and inspirational posts written by a Latina Therapist.
MHA has a full page of mental health resources written in Spanish and geared towards the Latinx community.
Resource for Latinx College Students
A youth-focused and youth-led organization that works to improve Latinx equality and push discussions of Latinx issues onto the national stage.
A nonprofit and community organization created to support women of color and the millennial & GenZ population in order to reduce the stigma around mental health.
A virtual support group and platform dedicated to eating disorder awareness and body positivity.
A digital community dedicated to providing tools to encourage healing, inspiration, and communal care among POC.
An organization dedicated to the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color through crisis response and financial assistance.
An online support community for young people of color that includes daily check-ins, celebrations, icebreakers, and Q&As.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Latino Equality Alliance (LEA)
A nonprofit that advocates for equality and justice for the Latinx community.
National organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to all LGBTQ+ youth, with an emphasis on protecting POC.
An organization based in Austin, Texas that offers a variety of programs and online content to support QPOC– focusing on topics such as cultural arts, wellness, and social justice.
Coming Out – Living Authentically as LGBTQ Latinx Americans
A resource from HRC Foundation that provides information and shares the experiences of coming out as an LGBTQ Latinx in America today.
This organization shares LGBT stories that impact Spanish-speaking communities and provides an analysis of the media that serves those communities
The Gay-Straight Alliance Network has a number of resources for the Latinx community
1.LGBTQ Youth of Color: Discipline Disparities, School Push-Out, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline: An infographic to educate the community at large about the challenges that many LGBTQ youths of color face.
2.**Nuestras Historias, Nuestro Arcoíris (Our Stories, Our Rainbow) Celebrating LGBTQ Latinx History Month: **An article that discusses Latinx LGBTQ history and provides ways POC youth can share this information in their communities.
Domestic Violence Resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call or Text “Start” to 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
A nonprofit organization that works to help Latino men and women change their lives and prevent violence in their families.
A nonprofit working to heal people who are traumatized by violence and create healthy families that are free of violence.
An online hub for sharing domestic violence prevention and recovery resources.
An institute on domestic violence focusing on Latina communities that works to prevent domestic violence and also help those who have been affected.
A nonprofit whose goal is to end domestic violence among Latinx families.
National Dating Abuse Helpline
Call 1-866-331-9474 or Text “LOVEIS” to 22522